Hundreds block roads demanding food aid

Several hundreds of people yesterday blocked two highways in Jashore and Savar demanding food aid.

They claimed that they had lost their sources of income since the countrywide shutdown imposed about a month ago, but no government officials or representatives were yet to give them a hand, leaving them to starve.

Later, they withdrew the blockades after local administrations convinced them that relief materials would soon be distributed.

In Jashore, hundreds took position at Bahadurpur Bazar point on Dhaka-Jashore highway around noon.

On information, officials of armed forces, police and civil administration rushed to the spot and convinced them to leave the highway with an assurance of immediate relief distribution, said KM Abu, revenue deputy collector in the district.

Later, they withdrew the blockade around 2:30pm, he said.

In Savar, some 100 transport workers blocked the Dhaka-Aricha highway at Savar Police Station point around 10:00am demanding food assistance.

They also demanded immediate withdrawal of the government's ban on vehicular movement.

Many trucks and lorries got stranded on the highway due to the blockade.

On information a team of police rushed to the spot and took the situation under control by promising them that they would receive assistance in no time, said Zakaria Hossen, inspector (operation) of Savar Model Police Station.

Contacted, Savar municipality mayor Hazi Abdul Goni said he did not get sufficient amount of relief materials from the government, and therefore, it was not possible for him to entertain the demands of all workers in the area.

Our correspondents in Jashore and Savar contributed to this report.