Kalaroa upazila unit of Awami League (AL)-led 14-party opposition coalition organised the program and brought out a broomstick procession, which started from the premises of local AL office.

More than 3000 angry farmers barricaded the Satkhira-Jessore highway from 11:00am to 1:00pm in front of Kalaroa Government College demanding smooth supply of power and fertilisers.

Traffic on both sides of the highway was interrupted for over two hours due to the roadblock.

A spontaneous rally was also held at the barricade. Chaired by Kalaroa upazila AL Convener Sajedul Islam Khan Chowdhury, the rally was addressed by District AL General Secretary Nazrul Islam, Tala upazila AL President Sheikh Nurul Islam, A Ahmed, Syed Firoz Kamal, Shahidul Islam, MA Farooq, Monowara Farooque, Firoz Ahmed Swapan, Advocate Ali Ahmed, Ruhul Quddus, Jahangir Hossain and Abdur Rouf among others.

Speakers criticised the government for its failure to ensure smooth supply of power and fertilisers. They said the Power Development Board (PDB) failed to ensure smooth power supply during the peak Boro season and the farmers are desperate for power to irrigate their lands for Boro cultivation.

The examinees taking the secondary school certificate examinations are also suffering immensely due to the load shedding, they said.

They demanded smooth supply of power within two or three days and threatened to launch tougher protest programmes otherwise.

They said some dishonest dealers who are trying to reap benefits by creating an artificial crisis of fertilisers are linked with the ruling party leaders.

During the programme Kalaroa Upazila Ninrbahi Officer (UNO) Bashirul Alam and Officer--in--charge of Kalaroa Police Station Arzu Mia rushed to the barricade and assured the protesters of power supply and fertilisers. Persuaded by the UNO, protesters withdrew the roadblock.