Vehicular movement on Dhaka-Chattogram Highway remained suspended for five hours since Tuesday noon as hundreds of residents of Jangal Salimpur in Sitakunda upazila in Chattogram blocked the highway protesting an eviction drive by the local administration.
Meanwhile, the protesters hurled brick chips towards police when they lobbed tear gas shells and charged baton to disperse them. A chase and counter-chase took place during the melee.
The vehicular movement on the highway returned to normal around 5:30pm.
A 10-kilometre tailback was created on the highway due to the blockade.
Earlier, more than two hundred residents gathered at Bangla Bazar in Fouzdarhat area of the highway around 12:30pm, halting vehicular movement.
The local administration has snapped the electricity and water connections at Jangal Salimpur to evict the illegal occupants.
“The residents of Jungle Salimpur have blocked the Dhaka-Chittagong highway demanding electricity and water. They are discussing with the authorities and agitators to resolve the issue. The protesters are still protesting peacefully. If any chaos arises, action will be taken,” Additional Superintendent of Police Ashraful Karim (Sitakunda circle) said.
Thousands of people are living illegally in government-owned hills in Jangal Salimpur area, whom the government has started the process of eviction.
Earlier in the day, police foiled their bid to block Bayezid-Fouzdathat road in the morning.
Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Maminur Rahman said that the government has recently taken an initiative to rehabilitate 15,000 residents in the area and construct a number of government structures.
ALSO READ - 3,000 families living illegally in risky hills of Ctg railway
The government also planned to relocate the Chattogram Central Jail to Salimpur khas land, construct sports village, cricket stadium, iconic mosque, eco-parks and other establishments in the area.
To make the plan successful, the local administration has been conducting an eviction drive for the last month.
