Supporters of BNP leader Aslam Chowdhury staged protests and partially blocked the Dhaka-Chattogram Highway in Sitakunda today (30 June) after the Appellate Division upheld the cancellation of his candidacy for the Chattogram-4 (Sitakunda) parliamentary seat.
The protesters felled roadside trees and placed logs on the highway, disrupting traffic and causing long tailbacks that left commuters stranded.
Earlier in the day, a four-member Appellate Division bench led by Chief Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury delivered the final verdict declaring Aslam Chowdhury's candidacy invalid in the 13th National Parliamentary Election.
Following the ruling, his supporters brought out a protest procession in the Chhoto Darogarhat area of Sitakunda before blocking parts of the highway.
Several BNP leaders who joined the demonstration said Aslam Chowdhury had stood by the party during difficult times and had been elected as the people's representative from Sitakunda. Rejecting the court's verdict, they demanded that his parliamentary seat be restored.
In a post on his verified Facebook page shortly after the verdict, Aslam Chowdhury urged party leaders, activists and local residents not to lose hope and to remain patient. Sharing a news outlet's photo card, he claimed that, according to the attorney general's remarks, there would be no legal obstacle to his contesting the seat if a by-election is held.
Police said additional personnel had been deployed to prevent any deterioration in law and order following the verdict.
Speaking to The Business Standard, Chattogram Superintendent of Police Md Masud Alam said, "We have received reports of partial road blockades at three to four points in Sitakunda. However, the highway has not been completely closed anywhere. The situation has been reported in Darogarhat and a few other areas. Additional police have been deployed and the situation is being closely monitored."
He said work was under way to remove the trees from the highway and that police were in contact with Aslam Chowdhury as well as local political leaders to prevent further unrest.
"We hope traffic will return to normal shortly. Police remain on maximum alert to deal with any untoward situation, and necessary measures will be taken depending on how the situation develops," the SP added.
Chattogram / Aslam Chowdhury
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