Road transport and bridges minister Sheikh Rabiul Alam has come under political tension while examining the feasibility of constructing a proposed ‘dream bridge’ on the Lohalia river at Baufal in Patuakhali. He left the scene after being blocked for about an hour between BNP and Jamaat supporters.
The incident took place in Baufal’s Boga Ferrighat area on Tuesday (May 19th) afternoon.
According to local sources, the bridge minister arrived at Baga Ferrighat around 1pm. Later, he went to the east of the Lohalia river by ferry, where a meeting was arranged on the construction of the proposed bridge. The meeting was organised by the Jamaat-e-Islami MP from Baufal constituency. Shafiqul Islam Masud
However, the minister’s participation in the meeting raised objections among the local BNP leaders. Tensions between the two sides erupted after the minister reached the east. At one stage, the bridge minister’s convoy was surrounded and the situation became more tense with the slogan.
Witnesses said the minister’s fleet was virtually locked down from about 45 minutes to an hour. Later, the bridge minister returned to the west side of the same ferry and from there he left for Patuakhali.
A large number of supporters were present at the scene. Patuakhali MP Altaf Hossain Chowdhury, district BNP leaders and bridges minister’s delegation were present on the occasion.
Upazila BNP member secretary Apple Mahmud Firoz told local media that there was anger among the activists as the prime minister did not have a picture under the banner of the meeting. However, he declined to comment on the situation.
Bridges Minister Sheikh Rabiul Alam or Jamaat-backed MP Dr. Shafiqul Islam Masud did not make any official comment.
The plan to build the Bangladesh-China 9th Friendship Bridge over the Lohalia River in Baufal was taken during the previous government. The project’s progress has stalled after political change. Later, the local MP urged the National Assembly to take initiative again by highlighting the need for this bridge. Shafiqul Islam Masud
The recent tensions have created a new uncertainty about the future of the bridge construction project among the local people.