Locals demand relocation of North Fatikchhari Upazila HQ 

Locals and leaders of the North Fatikchhari Upazila Implementation Coordination Council staged a sit-in protest outside the Chattogram divisional commissioner’s Office today (20 July), demanding a review of the government’s decision on the location of the proposed North Fatikchhari Upazila headquarters.

The demonstrators, with black cloth tied over their mouths in symbolic protest, observed the programme from 11am to 12pm.

Speaking at the programme, they said the proposed upazila comprises four unions- Bhujpur, Dantmara, Narayanhat and Harualchhari and argued that the headquarters should be established at a geographically central location to ensure equitable access to administrative services for residents of all four unions.

The speakers alleged that the decision to designate Bhujpur as the upazila headquarters was taken without adequately considering geographical realities or consulting local residents, claiming the move does not serve the broader public interest.

They further urged the government to reassess the decision, saying factors such as transport connectivity, population distribution and ease of access for residents across the four unions should be given due consideration before finalising the headquarters’ location.

On 1 July, the National Implementation Committee for Administrative Reorganisation (NICAR), at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, approved the formation of the new North Fatikchhari Upazila and designated the area adjacent to the Bhujpur Police Station as its headquarters.

The decision has since triggered protests across Fatikchhari.

On 16 July, residents observed a dawn-to-dusk hartal in six unions, demanding that the headquarters be relocated.