Bogura University protest: Highway blockade ends after deputy commissioner assures action

Residents from five upazilas in Bogura staged a protest today, blocking the Dhaka-Rangpur highway for more than two hours. They demanded that the proposed Bogura University be established in the Jamalpur area of Shahjahanpur upazila, a site originally selected by former prime minister Khaleda Zia.

The blockade, which began around 10:00 AM at Nayanmile in Shahjahanpur, brought traffic to a complete halt. Hundreds of vehicles were stranded, causing considerable distress to long-distance passengers. Asif Iqbal, officer-in-charge of Shahjahanpur Police Station, confirmed the disruption.

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If I cannot reach Rangpur on time, the frozen goods will spoil.

Around 12:20 PM, Bogura Deputy Commissioner Taufiqur Rahman arrived at the scene. He received a memorandum from the demonstrators and assured them that he would look into their demands. Following his assurance, the protesters dispersed, and traffic on the highway resumed.

The protest saw participation from residents of Shahjahanpur, Gabtali, Sherpur, Dhunat, and Nandigram upazilas. Leaders and activists from various political, social, cultural, and professional organizations, along with academics, student representatives, and local residents, also joined the demonstration. Speakers at a rally highlighted that the Jamalpur site was proposed for the university about 25 years ago but was never implemented. They rejected claims that land acquisition was difficult, asserting that sufficient land was available. They argued that the area's connectivity and proximity to the Rural Development Academy make it an ideal location, which would expand higher education and boost research, trade, and employment in northern Bangladesh.

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By now, I could have reached Rangpur, dropped off my passengers and taken a rest. Instead, everyone, including the passengers, is suffering here.