Aggrieved Bangladesh Nationalist Party leaders and activists brought out a broom procession at Chattogram’s Mirsarai upazila on Tuesday, protesting at the announcement of convening committees for three local units.

The demonstrators blocked the Dhaka-Chattogram Highway, denouncing the newly formed committees as ‘pocket committees’ and demanding their immediate cancellation.

The blockade caused traffic congestion in the area for about 30 minutes.

The aggrieved BNP activists also held a protest rally at about 12 noon.

The rally was addressed by former upazila BNP member Shahinul Islam Swapan, Dhum union BNP member secretary Mezbaul Haque Manik, Jorarganj union BNP member secretary Masukul Alam Sohan, and joint convener Golam Zakaria, among others.

Speakers at the rally claimed that dedicated grassroots leaders had been sidelined in favour of a hand-picked committee comprised of individuals who largely resided in Dhaka and Chattogram instead of their respective localities. They strongly demanded the immediate dissolution of the committees and formation of new ones with genuine local representatives.

The protest erupted after the Chattogram district BNP, led by convener Golam Akbar Khandaker, approved an 83-member upazila convening committee on Monday afternoon.

Additionally, a 31-member Baraiyarhat municipal BNP committee and a 53-member Mirsarai municipal BNP committee were announced.

Since then, demonstrations have taken place in different areas of Mirsarai upazila, with several incidents of clashes and vandalism reported.

At least nine activists from BNP, Jubo Dal, and Chhatra Dal were allegedly injured in the violence.

Golam Akbar Khandkar could not be reached for comment on the matter despite repeated attempts over the phone.

Mirsarai police officer-in-charge Atikur Rahman said that BNP activists occupied the highway for about 10 minutes, temporarily disrupting the Dhaka-bound lane.