The dawn-to-dusk road blockade, enforced by United People’s Democratic
Front (UPDF), an anti-peace treaty organisation, protesting an arson
attack in which around 50 houses of indigenous families were burnt in
Matiranga upazila on Saturday, is being observed peacefully in the
district on Monday.
The blockade is also meant for pressing for punishment to the culprits
and compensation for the victims.
Activists of UPDF were picketing in different places of the district
since early morning.
When pickets tried to torch tyres in Swanirvar area of the district
town at about 8.30am, police obstructed them.
Plying of all kinds of vehicle, except for rickshaw and battery-run
easy-bike, remained stopped during the blockade.
There were no reports of violence from anywhere as of filing this
report at 10.51am.
Additional police have been deployed in different points of the
district town to maintain law and order.
Earlier, activists of UPDF staged demonstration in the town on Sunday
evening protesting the incident.
Miscreants set fire to 50 houses at Bandar Shing Para, Boga Para,
Manudas Para and Laku Headman Para in the upazila following abduction
of a motorcycle rider, Md Kamal, 32, from Taindang area in the uapzila
on Saturday noon. -UNB, Khagrachhari
