A protest erupted in Manirampur, Jashore, on Monday (March 3) as residents blocked the Rajarhat-Chuknagar highway, demanding their due share of Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) smart cards. The demonstration, which lasted for about an hour and a half, caused severe traffic congestion, leaving ambulances and commuters stranded.

The protestors, mostly previous beneficiaries of TCB’s subsidized goods program, claimed they were unfairly excluded from the latest card distribution. The situation escalated due to technical issues and political infighting, complicating the distribution process.

Sources revealed that while 2,296 TCB smart cards were allocated for Manirampur this year, technical glitches, including password-related security issues, delayed their distribution. The Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO), who is currently overseeing the municipality’s operations in the absence of a mayor, has been unable to resolve the password issue, forcing manual distribution and fueling discontent.

Political divisions at the local level have further exacerbated the problem. Favoring one group over another has led to dissatisfaction among residents, putting pressure on officials managing the distribution.

Acting Secretary of Manirampur Municipality, Shahinur Islam, explained that 2,296 TCB smart cards, including 1,286 from the previous mayor’s tenure, were received. However, the cards could not be issued due to password issues linked to the former mayor’s account. A request to change the password has been submitted, and officials hope the issue will be resolved soon.

Niaz Makhdum, the municipality’s Chief Executive Officer, noted that while 2,712 cards were distributed across nine wards in previous years, the current allocation is 412 cards short, leaving many beneficiaries excluded.

UNO Nishat Tamanna stated that a meeting with local political representatives has been held to address misunderstandings and streamline the distribution process.

The blockade was lifted after police and army personnel intervened and assured the protestors of a resolution. However, the incident highlights the challenges of managing public welfare programs amid technical and political hurdles.