Residents in Parshuram, Feni, staged an unusual protest demanding repairs to a dilapidated road. They planted rice seedlings in the middle of the muddy road to demand swift repairs.
The unusual protest was held on the main road in South Kautoli village, Mirzanagar union, in the upazila on Tuesday (July 7) morning.
Residents allege they have suffered severe hardship because the road has gone unrepaired for a long time. Even light rain turns it into mud, making it difficult for students, patients and ordinary people to travel. Rickshaws, CNG-run auto-rickshaws and even emergency service vehicles are reluctant to use the road.
Residents said they had repeatedly informed the relevant authorities about the issue, but no effective action was taken. They planted the rice seedlings on the road to protest the prolonged suffering.
Local resident Mohsin Majumder said the road becomes impassable whenever it rains. During the monsoon, the entire road turns to mud, making it difficult for students to reach school and college and for patients to reach hospitals.
Another resident, Mohammad Ibrahim, said they have endured this problem for many years. Elected representatives have made assurances at various times, but nothing has changed in practice. “Looking at the road now, it looks like farmland,” he said.
Madrasa student Nurul Islam said navigating the mud during rain is difficult, and people often have to cross the road carrying their shoes, sometimes slipping and getting injured.
Md. Imran Hossain, the officer in charge at Mirzanagar Union Parishad, said the poor state of the road has been reported to higher authorities, and sustainable repair work will begin once the project is approved.
Parshuram Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) Atanu Barua said he has recently taken charge of the post. After learning of the issue, a representative was sent to the site, and necessary measures will be taken to repair the road.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report