A chase and counter-chase between supporters of two upazila parishad chairman aspirants had led to the blockading of the Burimari land port-Dhaka national highway on Tuesday, disrupting goods from entering or exiting the region indefinitely.
Supporters of an independent candidate, Wazedul Islam Shaheen, said they were ambushed while electioneering near the Burimari union parishad on Tuesday evening, allegedly by supporters of the local Awami League-backed candidate.
Three supporters were injured in the ambush, according to Badshah Miah, general secretary of Burimari union Chhatra League, who confirmed the incident.
This ensured a chase and counter-chase, after which Shaheen’s supporters enforced a blockade at the nearby Patgram Government College, effectively cutting off the Burimari land port-Dhaka national highway.
Sajal Bakshi, traffic sergeant at the Patgram college intersection, said efforts are already underway to diffuse the situation.
Patgram upazila nirbahi officer (UNO) and assistant returning officer Abdul Karim, along with Patgram police station officer-in-charge Arzoo Md Sazzad Hossain, were at the spot as of Tuesday night, in an effort to quell the agitated supporters.