A human chain was organized by local residents in Morelganj upazila of Bagerhat, demanding the recovery and repair of a public road that has been under illegal occupation for nearly 18 years.
The hour-long demonstration took place on Friday in front of the 10-kilometer-long earthen road connecting Hoglabunia Farazi Bari Jame Mosque to Suryamukhi K.P. Government Primary School. Participants—men, women, students, and elderly citizens—joined in chanting: “Reclaim the public road — Restore the people's right to movement.”
Speakers alleged that almost two decades ago, a powerful group from the area unlawfully enclosed the important government road within their private fish enclosure. As a result, thousands of residents of Hoglabunia, Suryamukhi, and nearby villages have been facing immense suffering.
Local teacher H. M. Giyas Hossain said,
this connecting road used to be the only route for people of the two villages and the surrounding union. Now, with it under illegal occupation, the residents are practically trapped. We demand immediate recovery and renovation of this road.”
Housewife Lutfa Begum said, because the road has been occupied and unrepaired for years, our children face difficulties going to school. We even have to take long detours to reach the mosque, temple, or sources of clean water.
Farmer Md. Dulal Farazi expressed frustration, saying we used to use this road daily. Now, without an alternative route, it often takes longer to get patients to the hospital.
The human chain was presided over by Md. Sabuj Farazi, founder and general secretary of Hoglabunia Ekota Juboshongho.
He said, a public road belongs to the people—no one has the right to occupy it. We urge the administration to free and repair the road immediately so villagers can move freely again.
He added, we seek a peaceful solution, not conflict. If the authorities act swiftly, the people will regain the road that rightfully belongs to them.”
Among those present were housewives Fatema Akter and Majeda Begum, student Mariam Akter, and social workers Ruhul Amin Farazi, Ilias Farazi, and Sakil Farazi, along with people from all walks of life.
In unison, the participants declared,
“Public roads are public property. The people’s right to movement must be ensured. If immediate steps are not taken to recover and repair the road, we will be forced to launch a larger movement.”
