Home ›› 26 Nov 2021 ›› Front
Protests triggered by a Notre Dame College student’s death intensified on Thursday, with demonstrators blocking key intersections in Dhaka, disrupting the already slow traffic flow and mounting the people’s sufferings for a second consecutive day.
They blocked Motijheel Shapla Chattar, Farmgate, Uttara Azampur, Asadgate, Mirpur and Gulistan intersections in the morning, demanding road safety and justice for their fellow. The demonstrations brought the traffic to a screeching halt, leaving people stranded on the streets.
Besides, the protests also affected vehicular movement in different parts of the city.
The students came up with a six-point demand, including ensuring road safety, justice for Naim Hasan, compensation for his family, footbridges over busy streets, and implementation of road safety law.
On Wednesday, Notre Dame College student Naim was killed after being hit by a garbage truck of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC). His fellows gathered on the campus in the morning before blocking the Shapla Chattar around 11:30am. They later thronged the Gulistan zero point around 1pm.
Students demonstrated in front of the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Nagar Bhaban and demanded meeting Mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh.
The halt in traffic on two of the most critical intersections caused traffic congestion in nearby areas. Moshiur Rahman, inspector (traffic) of Paltan Police Station, said the students were holding a non-violent protest.
Students check vehicle papers
Demonstrators in Farmgate checked documents of various vehicles and demanded half-fare on the public transport. The students of Government Science College, Ideal Commerce College, BAF Shaheen College, St Joseph Higher Secondary College, and Holy Cross College attended the protest.
Abul Hashem, a private job holder living in Uttara, said he travelled to his Motijheel office by bus regularly. He had to wait for a long time for transport during the student demonstration and was stuck in the traffic.
