Bera, Sept 8 (V7N) – Hundreds of residents of Bera Upazila, Pabna district, blocked the Dhaka-Pabna highway on Sunday, demanding the restoration of the Pabna-1 parliamentary constituency, which they claim was unfairly redrawn. The protest saw the active participation of BNP leaders, allied organizations, and local residents.

The demonstration began at 10:30 a.m. at C&B Mor in Bera Upazila and continued until noon. Protesters set tires on fire and raised slogans condemning Nazibur Rahman Momen and Jamaat-e-Islami, including “No boundary change, we want people’s rights,” “The boundary of Pabna-1 is not anyone’s private property,” “The people’s voice cannot be silenced,” and “If public demands are ignored, there will be a mass movement.”

According to the demonstrators, the Pabna-1 constituency was restructured in a way that they perceive as unjust. Bera Upazila has been separated from Pabna-1 and merged with Pabna-2, despite the area’s economic and social connections with Santhia Upazila. They claim this redistricting neglects the rights and interests of the Bera population.

The protest was led by prominent local BNP leaders, including Bera municipal BNP president Fazlur Rahman Fakir, senior vice-president Sajedul Islam Bipu, general secretary Salauddin Iqbal, organizational secretary Akshed Ali, and joint general secretary Moin Uddin Khaja.

Bera Police Officer-in-Charge, (OC) AKM Habibul Islam confirmed that the situation was under control. He said that additional police had been deployed to maintain law and order and that authorities were ready to respond to any emergencies during the protest.

This protest highlights ongoing tensions in electoral boundary demarcations and reflects widespread concerns among residents about fair political representation and local administrative decisions. The demonstrators have called on the Election Commission to restore the Pabna-1 constituency to its previous boundaries to ensure citizens’ rights are protected.

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