A Correspondent:
Chattogram: Vehicular movement on the Dhaka-Chattogram highway remained suspended for two hours on Tuesday as supporters of BNP leader Aslam Chowdhury blocked the highway in Sitakunda protesting the Appellate Division’s order cancelling his nomination in Chattogram-4 constituency in the 13th par-liamentary election over a loan default issue.
Witnesses said the protesters took to the highway at Chhoto Darogarhat around 4:00pm after the court order was announced.
They blocked the road placing tree logs and chanted slogans demanding the restoration of Aslam Chow-dhury’s nomination.
The protesters also demanded that he be recognized as the elected representative of the Chattogram-4 (Sitakunda) constituency.
The blockade triggered a traffic tailback stretching nearly 40 kilometers, causing immense suffering for commuters.
Traffic on the Chattogram-bound lane resumed around 6:00pm after law enforcers removed the barri-cades.
Sitakunda Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Fakhrul Islam and Officer-in-Charge of Sitakunda Model Police Station Mohinul Islam visited the spot as members of the law enforcement agencies worked to clear the highway and restore traffic.
OC of Baro Awlia Highway Police Station Mohammad Adil Mahmud said police brought the situation under control after two hours.
Earlier in the day, the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court cancelled the candidature of BNP leader Aslam Chowdhury in the Chattogram-4 constituency.
The official result of the parliamentary seat that went to election on February 12 has yet to be declared.
