Shahbag blocked to realise Bhola-Barishal bridge

A group of the city dwellers, hailing from Bhola district, blocked the capital's Shahbag intersection on Friday, demanding the construction of a bridge linking Barishal and Bhola.
Hundreds of people with banners and festoons positioned themselves at Shahbag at around 3:45pm and blocked the main roads. Subsequently, the traffic movements through Shahbag came to a standstill until 6:00 pm. An official at Shahbag Police Station said additional police were deployed to handle the situation.
Bhola residents have been holding various programmes in Dhaka and Bhola. Their demands include - visible progress in the construction of the Bhola-Barishal bridge, piped gas connection to every house in Bhola, setting up gas-based industries and factories in the district, establishment of a public university in Bhola, and construction of sustainable embankments there.
On November 14, a group of students blocked a convoy carrying three advisors to the interim government during their visit to Bhola. They did so by lying down in front of the vehicles near the deputy commissioner's (DC) office.
The protesters, under the banner of 'Amra-Bholabasi' blocked Power and Energy Advisor Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, Industries Advisor Adilur Rahman Khan, and Commerce Advisor Sheikh Bashir Uddin.
At that time, the protesters said they had recently met Sheikh Moinuddin, special assistant to the chief advisor, and Power Advisor Fouzul regarding their demands.
The meeting had concluded with an announcement that the construction of the bridge would begin in December. But on Nov 14, Advisor Fouzul said the bridge construction issue was still stuck at the policy level.

talhabinhabib@yahoo.com