Staff Reporter, Brahmanbaria

Local residents have blocked railway tracks and roads in protest against the transfer of six villages from Basudeb Union under Brahmanbaria Sadar Upazila and a proposal to divide the Sadar Upazila. The blockade began on Sunday (November 8) morning at Kodda Cabin area of Brahmanbaria Sadar, disrupting train services on the Dhaka–Chattogram and Dhaka–Sylhet railway routes.

The protesters staged demonstrations wearing white burial shrouds around their heads. The blockade disrupted train operations, leaving the schedules of several trains, including the Parabat Express, Parjotak Express, Mahanagar Express and Subarna Express, uncertain.

Mohammad Rafiqul Islam, the duty station master at Brahmanbaria Railway Station, confirmed the disruption. He said the Sylhet-bound intercity Parabat Express was stranded at Brahmanbaria station due to the blockade. For security reasons, the non-stop intercity Parjotak Express, bound for Cox's Bazar, would also remain at the station.

According to local residents, in May this year, a new union parishad named Barishal was formed comprising six villages—Kodda, Baishnabpur, Shyamnagar, Korabari, Chandi and Barishal—from Basudeb Union under Brahmanbaria Sadar Upazila. The newly formed union was subsequently brought under Akhaura Upazila. A government gazette notification regarding the decision was published on June 4.

Residents have been protesting against the decision since its announcement. They allege that a recent proposal has been made to merge Basudeb, Sultanpur and Ramrail unions of Brahmanbaria Sadar Upazila with Barishal Union, which was transferred to Akhaura Upazila, to form a new upazila named Barishal.

Locals claim that, following an application by Brahmanbaria district BNP leader Kabir Ahmed Bhuiyan, the Local Government Division recently sent an official letter to assess the feasibility of the proposal. They said they launched the blockade after learning about the development.

Khairul Alam, officer-in-charge (OC) of Brahmanbaria Sadar Police Station, said police reached the scene after receiving reports of the blockade. He added that law enforcement personnel were working to ensure the safety of people and property.