Life stops for half an hour in Barisal divn

A road without transports (top) and a rally being held in front of Aswani Kumar Hall in Barisal city during the Barisal Achal programme yesterday.. PHOTO: STAR

As the clock ticked 11, whistles and sirens blared in the six district headquarters and upazila towns and all came on nearby roads leaving work. All vehicles and other transports stood standstill where they were.

Even river transports and ferries stopped moving.

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People including students, government employees formed human chains and held rallies on nearby roads. In Barisal city, such programmes were held at 32 points.

Public representatives, teachers, political leaders, cultural and human rights activists and NGO leaders and activists also participated in the programs.

The Barisal Achal (standstill in Barisal) program was earlier called by the Barisal Division Development and Rights Protection Forum to press the demands.

The nine - point demand includes regular Biman flight to Barisal, gas supply from Bhola gas field, setting up of a public university, construction of bridges at Dapdapia and Bekutia, shifting of BIWTA head office and renovation of the marine workshop, setting up of a floating dockyard, development of Kuakata tourist spot and establishment of export processing zones in Barisal and Patuakhali.

Agitation to press the nine-point demand was started in Barisal division in November. Earlier, rallies were held and human chains formed in different areas of the division to press the demands.