A major disruption unfolded on Wednesday morning along the Cumilla stretch of the Dhaka–Chattogram Highway after local residents staged a blockade, resulting in severe traffic congestion and widespread public inconvenience.
The protest was organised by inhabitants of 13 villages adjacent to Cumilla Airport, who have long been embroiled in an unresolved land dispute. From early morning, hundreds of demonstrators gathered at the Paduar Bazar World Road intersection and blocked the arterial highway, bringing all vehicular movement to a complete standstill.
According to local residents, the land-related complications in the airport-adjacent villages have persisted for many years without a sustainable resolution. Despite repeated appeals to the authorities, they claim that no effective or lasting measures have been implemented. As a result, uncertainty surrounding land ownership, usage rights, and compensation has steadily increased over time. The situation has reportedly been further complicated by ongoing airport expansion and associated infrastructure development projects, which have intensified competing claims over land.
Protesters stated that they had resorted to blocking the highway only after years of peaceful demonstrations and repeated petitions failed to produce meaningful progress. Their primary demand is for the relevant authorities to initiate urgent dialogue and ensure a fair, transparent, and long-term settlement to the dispute. They also warned that if their concerns continue to be ignored, more stringent forms of protest could follow in the coming days.
The blockade caused immediate and significant disruption to transport services. Long-distance coaches, freight trucks, and private vehicles were stranded for hours, while many passengers were forced to seek alternative routes. However, detours proved time-consuming and inconvenient, leading to widespread delays and hardship. The incident effectively paralysed movement along one of the country’s busiest transport corridors, affecting both daily commuters and inter-district trade logistics.
Local administration officials later arrived at the scene in an attempt to defuse the situation. Law enforcement agencies were deployed to manage crowds and restore order. Authorities engaged in discussions with the protesters, urging restraint while assuring them that the matter would be reviewed with due seriousness at higher levels of government.
Summary of Protest and Demands
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Location of protest | Paduar Bazar World Road, Cumilla |
| Cause | Long-standing land dispute involving 13 villages near Cumilla Airport |
| Main demand | Swift and permanent resolution of land ownership and compensation issues |
| Participants | Residents from multiple social and occupational backgrounds |
| Impact | Severe traffic congestion and disruption on Dhaka–Chattogram Highway |
| Administrative response | On-site negotiations, crowd management, and monitoring by authorities |
Locals have cautioned that if the dispute remains unresolved, it could further hinder infrastructure development in the region and continue to disrupt everyday life. They stressed that timely and effective intervention is now essential to prevent future escalations and restore normalcy along this vital national highway.