Hasnat releases fish fry in waterlogged Cumilla road in symbolic protest

Hasnat Abdullah, chief organiser of the National Citizen Party (NCP) for the southern region, today released fish fry into a waterlogged pothole on Debidwar-Chandina road in Cumilla, in a symbolic protest against the dilapidated condition of the road.

This comes a day after a phone conversation between Hasnat and Khandaker Golam Mostafa, executive engineer of the Cumilla Roads and Highways Department, regarding road repairs went viral on social media.

The NCP leader also asked Mostofa to convey his message to the relevant adviser and other senior officials. "Tell your adviser -- if the repair doesn't start by October 20, we will plant paddy on the road," Hasnat was heard as saying.

In response, Mostafa replied, "It's certainly your right to block the road. I have nothing to say on that."

Talking to the media regarding the audio, Hasnat said, "I will do whatever is necessary for Debidwar's development. I only want the authorities not to neglect the project concerned."

Engineer Mostafa later clarified to the media that due to the installation of a divider, the road's width had to be temporarily increased using brick soiling, which subsided in the rain and created potholes. "Both sides of the divider -- 24 feet each -- will be rebuilt with concrete. The tender process has been completed, and work will begin very soon," he added.