Tension over fresh demarcation of constituencies

Centering the recent draft declaration by Bangladesh Election Commission (EC) fresh delimitation of traditional Nilphamari-3 constituency comprising Jaldhaka and three unions of Kishoreganj upazila, a tense situation has been created between two groups.

The unions are Barovita, Ranachandi and Putimari.

One group hailed the decision while another protested the move. Both groups held separate programmes over the issue.

On behalf of 50 thousand people of the three unions, a mass petition has recently been submitted to EC urging to keep Nilphamari-3 constituency as before.

Demanding cancellation of EC move, people of the unions, including Awami League activists, formed a human chain on Jaldhaka-Rangpur road near Barovita School and College on Saturday.

Mukul Hossain, principal of Ranachandi School and College, at the rally said Jaldhaka upazila headquarters is only 10 km away from the area while Saidpur is situated 50 km away and the move to add the three unions to Nilphamari-4 will hinder their area's development.

Barovita union AL Secretary Younus Ali said reconstitution of Nilphamari-3 will benefit anti liberation force Jamaat-e-Islami as Jaldhaka is their stronghold while 50 thousand voters of the three unions always encounter Jamaat in every national assembly election.

Meanwhile, hailing EC's move, a procession was brought out at Barovita bazar.

Barovita Union Parishad Chairman Fazlar Rahman at the programme said according to EC's delimitation act 1983, an administrative unit can't be divided and following the act, they have got undivided Kishoreganj upazila and they are thankful to EC.