GOALPARA, Sept 16 - At least five demonstrators were arrested for blocking the state highway Agia-Pancharatna Road at Bhalukdubi on Sunday. The group of demonstrators belonging to the Chatra Mukti Sangram Samiti (CMSS) were staging a demonstration to protest against the pathetic condition of the Agia-Pancharatna road and demanded immediate construction of this stretch of the state highway as several pleas for repairing earlier had fallen on deaf ears.
The demonstrators, also said that people face great difficulty while negotiating several potholes, particularly on the stretch from Bhalukdubi to the ASTC point. The accumulated rainwater worsens the condition. They also observed that while driving errors are a significant causes of accidents, but the dangerous road conditions are also a significant contributor.
Among those arrested were CMSS president Aminul Haque, CMSS secretary Zakir Hussein, assistant secretary CMSS Saminul Haque, secretary KMSS Manishankar Gayari and Nabiul Islam who were all later released on bail.
Meanwhile, DYFI secretary Parvez Ali said that existence of dilapidated roads, including those in the municipality areas, is nothing new and usually the town remains neglected. He also said that patch repairing of potholes is done only before the arrival of a VIP in the town. Further, Ali mentioned that the denizens of Goalpara have been brainwashed to believe that potholes and bad roads are a natural phenomenon. All the main offices including DTO, DEEO, treasury office, the district court, DRDA office and the 200-bedded civil hospital are situated along the stretch of the Agia-Pancharatna road which is lying in a shambles. He also regretted that no initiative has been taken by the authorities in this regard despite several pleas and protests.
