Students' protest leads to traffic jams, chaos in city

Students of seven colleges, affiliated with Dhaka University, are staging demonstration blocking Nilkhet intersection in the capital on Wednesday protesting the postponement of all ongoing examinations. 

The blockade triggered immense sufferings to the city commuters including office-goers. 

Selim Ullah, the principal of Dhaka College and the coordinator of the seven colleges, came to the spot and asked the students to wait till 6 pm, assuring them to take the exam.

However, the students refused his proposal demanding an instant decision in this regard. 

Besides, the vehicular movement in Dhanmondi, Kalabagan, Central road areas came to almost standstill due to the blockade. As a result, the traffic congestion spread to other parts of the city.

The agitating students blocked the road at around 9am as per their pre-declaration to resume the protest that ended yesterday night.

Over 600 students of seven colleges have gathered in the area and are staging demonstration from morning.

In the protest, students chanted slogans demanding the withdrawal examinations postponement decision of the concerned authorities and asked them to take all ongoing examinations.

A K M Abu Bakar, a student of Dhaka College, who led the protest of seven college students, said, "We gave an ultimatum to withdraw the decision of postponing ongoing exams, but they didn't meet our demand. So, we are continuing our protest."

Israt Jahan Mishu, a third year student of Department of Finance in Eden College, said, "We have rejected the announcement of Education Ministry. We are continuing movement demanding the opening of educational institutions across the country, including seven colleges. We will continue this movement until our demand is met."

Following the road blockade, the vehicular movement came to a halt on the road, creating huge traffic jam adjoining roads. 

Habibur Rahaman, a bus driver said, they remain stranded in the same place for the last four hours amid student's protest.

They also wanted that the authority will fulfil the logical demand of the agitating students.

Muhammad Yunus, a pedestrian told The Business Standard that he walked on foot from Shahbagh to reach his destination in Mohammadpur.

The blockade created a massive traffic jam on road.

"I think the government should consider the students demand to ease people's suffering", he added.

However, police yet to bring the situation under control. 

Earlier on Tuesday evening, the principals of seven colleges had a meeting with the Dhaka University authorities. The meeting decided to postpone the examination.