Locals thwart Barishal July 36 Bridge inauguration over ‘name, compensation’

The inauguration event has been abandoned following an attack on the event, police say

An inauguration event for an under-construction bridge -- called the July 36 Bridge -- has been attacked and forced to shut down by locals in Barishal.

The incident occurred at 11am on Saturday at the field of Kachi Char Dakhil Madrasa, where the inauguration event had been organised, in Muladi.

Police said locals launched the attack opposing the name given to the bridge and alleging that they did not receive land acquisition money.

Nazirpur Police chief Shafiqul Islam said Local Government Advisor Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain was supposed to attend the inauguration event virtually.

The officer said locals were unhappy with the name of the bridge, which was being constructed by the LGED to connect Shaheber Char and Nazirpur.

Upazila administrator (UNO) Golam Sarwar said locals had filed a complaint after the local government had changed the bridge’s name.

“Higher authorities were informed about the matter. The inauguration event had to be abandoned.”