The Bangladesh Army's Lakshmichhari Zone, in coordination with firefighters and police, removed tree branches and trunks from roads in Lakshmichhari upazila of Khagrachhari on Saturday, ensuring safer and smoother traffic movement during a half-day road blockade.

The obstructions were created by cutting down trees at different points along local roads as part of efforts to enforce the blockade called by the Sangram Parishad of Students and People, which the report describes as backed by the United People's Democratic Front (UPDF).

The incident comes amid the government's emphasis on tree plantation, while trees were reportedly felled during the blockade called to press home the organisers' demands.

During attempts to enforce the blockade, protesters allegedly cut down trees and placed the branches and trunks across several roads in Lakshmichhari.

An army patrol from Lakshmichhari Zone promptly joined firefighters and police personnel to clear the debris from the roads, allowing vehicles to move more safely.

Karim Ullah, a passenger travelling from Lakshmichhari to Manikchhari, said the presence of army patrols on the roads had made local people feel more secure while travelling.

Without the patrols, travelling on the roads would have been difficult because of fear of armed groups, he added.

Sources in the security forces said the Bangladesh Army and other relevant agencies were working together to ensure safe movement for the public.