Inclusion in Proposed Bhairab Dist

Katiadi people observe hartal in protest

21 October 2009, 17:00 PM

A Correspondent, Kishoreganj

Protesting the inclusion of Katiadi upazila with the proposed Bhairab district, thousand of people of Katiadi observed a half day hartal there yesterday from 6am to 12pm. The strike left all vehicular movements on Dhaka-Kishoreganj-Mymensingh road at a standstill for hours. Ruling Awami League (AL) leader Lion Ali Akbar and Katiadi upazila chairman led the hartal and staged demonstration and procession and blocked the roads and Gachihata rail station which halted the Dhaka bound intercity Agarosindur Express and Mymensingh bound local train there for long. Later, Katiadi AL joint secretary Rabiul Awal, Achhmita chairman Mahbubur Rahman and Lohajuri chairman Haidar Maruf among others addressed a protest meeting at Katiadi bazaar. Besides, another group of BNP activists, led by Katiadi Pourashabha Mayor Tofazzal Hossain Khan Dilip, staged demonstration and arranged a protest meeting. A several hundred people of Bazitpur also staged procession against the decision. The Katiadi-Pakundia lawmaker Dr MA Mannan said he would submit a memorandum to the prime minister protesting it. The protesters sought tougher agitation if their demands are not fulfilled. Earlier, a letter, signed by Seema Nahar, a senior assistant secretary of president office, was sent to cabinet secretary to take necessary step to develop the Bhairab district, including Bhairab, Kuliarchar, Bazitpur and Nikli upazila. Later the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina gave her consent to add Katiadi upazila into it.