The second phase of total blockade called by BNP-Jamaat ended today. BNP-Jamaat and like-minded parties have announced another 48-hour blockade from next Wednesday with a break of one day.
Feni was tense on the last day of the blockade with various incidents including protest marches on the highway, vandalism of cars, burning of cars, protests by setting fire to the streets. The correspondent of Barta-24.com has shown how Feni was on the last day of the siege.
On the last day of the siege, a CNG autorickshaw loaded with fish was set on fire and looted. At the same time, the besiegers vandalized cargo trucks and covered vans in Takia Road, one of the biggest wholesale towns in Noakhali. These incidents took place on November 5 at Rampur Saudagar Bari Road and Takia Road in the city.
Victim fish seller Rubel and car driver Enamul Haque said, “Some agitators set fire to the CNG on Islampur Road on the way back after bringing fish from Noakhali’s Kabirhat Sonadia to Feni’s Big Bazaar. At that time, they snatched 60,000 taka from selling fish with us.’
Another CNG driver Sonajir Ripon Mia said, ‘My car suddenly stopped on the road and broke the front part.’
Eyewitnesses said that at noon, 6-7 cargo trucks and covered vans were stationed on Takia Road in the city to transport goods. Then the besiegers vandalized these trucks and left.
The truck drivers said, I was standing to redeem the goods. Some people came and broke the glass and left.
Also around 2 pm, the blockaders burnt tires on the road in front of the city’s Central High School and raised various slogans in support of the blockade. A few cocktail explosions took place during this time. Later, when the police reached the spot, they fled.
Earlier, at around 10 am in the city, volunteers and Chhatra Dal leaders and activists blocked the road and held a protest march on Shaheed Shahidullah Qaiser Road. Later, when the police reached the spot, the blockaders retreated. On this day, Jubo Dal leaders and activists also blocked the road at Mohipala on the Dhaka-Chittagong highway. Also, the Jubo Dal took out a protest march on Takia Road in the city, which was later stopped by the police.
Meanwhile, long-distance bus services remained closed on the last day of the second round of blockade called by BNP-Jamaat. The stretch of highway was empty. However, traffic was normal on the internal roads of the city.
On the other hand, Feni Municipal Jubo League held sit-in program on various roads of the city including the highway against the blockade of BNP-Jamaat. They circle different roads by motorcycle. District Jubo League general secretary (acting) Chowdhury Ahmed Riyad Aziz Rajeev and other leaders and activists participated in it.
Feni Superintendent of Police Zakir Hasan said, ‘Strict action will be taken if anyone tries to do any kind of sabotage in the name of meeting the schedule. Along with the police, several teams of RAB, BGB and Ansar are working in the field to keep the law and order situation normal.
