Traffic on the Dhaka–Mymensingh highway was suspended for about an hour this morning after local residents blocked the road demanding that the Gazipur-6 constituency be retained.

The blockade began around 9:00am in Tongi College Gate area, where hundreds of people from all walks of life gathered, chanting slogans such as "Let Gazipur-6 constituency remain, citizens demand fair service."

Eyewitnesses said demonstrators carrying banners and placards occupied the highway, halting traffic movement in both directions.

Mohammad Harunur Rashid, officer-in-charge of Tongi West Police Station, told The Daily Star that the highway had been closed since 10:00am due to the protest.

He said police were deployed on the spot to bring the situation under control.

By 11:15am, traffic had returned to normal after people left the highway, said Shafiqul Islam, traffic inspector of Tongi.

Protesters said they organised the demonstration in response to the government move to cancel the Gazipur-6 constituency, which they believe would deprive residents of fair representation.