Satkhira Correspondent

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has held a human chain program in Shyamnagar against the draft gazette published by the Election Commission redefining the boundaries of Satkhira-3 and Satkhira-4 parliamentary constituencies.

The human chain was organized by the Upazila Jamaat at Shyamnagar Chowrasta intersection at 10:30 am on Saturday. 

Upazila Jamaat Ameer Maulana Abdur Rahman led the human chain. Former MP Gazi Nazrul Islam was present as the chief guest.

Also present at the event were Upazila Nayeb Amir Maulana Moinuddin Mahmud, Secretary Maulana Golam Mostafa, Assistant Secretary Master Rezaul Islam, Lecturer Abdul Hamid, Maulana Aminur Rahman, Social Welfare Secretary Shahidul Islam and leaders and activists from various unions.

Stating that 'extreme injustice has been done to Shyamnagar', Gazi Nazrul Islam said in his speech as the chief guest, "It is extremely unreasonable to combine the country's largest upazilas, Shyamnagar and Asashuni, to form a single constituency in the name of seat rearrangement. These two upazilas are geographically different and are prone to climate disasters. Where people's lives are constantly at war with natural disasters, such a decision will increase the suffering of the local people."

He further said, "We are making a strong demand to the Election Commission that Shyamnagar be reinstated as a full-fledged parliamentary constituency like before. Otherwise, Shyamnagar and Kaliganj should be merged to form a separate constituency. The draft gazette should be immediately cancelled out of respect for the people's opinions."

Stating that 'political rights have been curtailed', Maulana Abdur Rahman said in his speech as the president, "Shyamnagar is the largest upazila in Bangladesh. Yet the people of this populous and water-logged region have been deprived of the representation of a full parliamentary seat. This is a deprivation of the political rights of the people. We strongly protest this decision of the government and demand the restoration of the five old seats of Satkhira."

More than a hundred leaders, activists and local common people participated in the human chain. The speakers said, "The opinion of the people was not taken into account in the redrawing of electoral boundaries. This has led to extreme dissatisfaction among the local people. We call for the cancellation of the draft gazette and the reflection of the will of the people."

The speakers announced that they will continue a series of programs, including mass outreach and signature collection, demanding the withdrawal of the draft gazette and the restoration of the previous seat allocation.