Traffic movement on the Dhaka-Chittagong highway was halted for about two hours when fishermen blocked the road in Sitakunda upazila, demanding the withdrawal of the government-imposed fishing ban in the Bay of Bengal.

Several hundred people from the Matshyajibi Jele Somproday organization came out to the streets around 10am on Sunday.

Halting vehicular movement caused immense inconvenience to commuters returning to their workplaces after Eid-ul-Fitr vacation.

Locals said the fishermen had gathered on the road as part of their pre-announced programme. They put up barricades and demonstrated, demanding the withdrawal of the 65-day ban imposed on May 20.

According to locals they fishermen from 38 villages took position on the roads as part of a previously-announced program.
“The police is working to remove them from the spot,” said Shitakunda police OC Md Delowar Hossain.
He added that they have been moved to the side of the road.
On Jun 1, the fishermen during a press conference announced blockades on Jun 9 if the ban on fishing in the sea wasn’t lifted.
Every year, the fishermen are banned from catching fished from May 23 to Jun 23 for 65 days. However, small boats used to be allowed but this year those have been banned as well.