Demonstrators withdrew road blockade after giving authorities two days to meet their demands
UNB: Students of different schools and colleges on Saturday continued their movement demanding safety on roads and 50% discount on bus fares.
They blocked the Dhanmondi 27 intersection in Dhaka at 12:30pm and left the place after a couple of hours before issuing a 48-hour ultimatum to the authorities.
The protesters said they will lay siege to the BRTA office in Dhaka if the government fails to issue a gazette notification meeting their demands within Tuesday.
A student holds a placard demanding road safety, on Mirpur Road in Dhaka on Saturday, November 27, 2021 Mehedi Hasan/Dhaka Tribune
They made an announcement to continue holding demonstrations in different parts of the capital on Sunday and Monday as well, according to media reports.
Ashraf Ripon, a student of Dhaka Residential Model College, told Dhaka Tribune: “We do not want to protest on the streets but what other options do we have?”
“What has the government done to ensure road safety since our last movement [in 2018]? Nothing,” he said.
Earlier, the demonstrators were seen checking licences of buses, CNG-run auto-rickshaws and cars. Emergency vehicles like ambulances and fire trucks were allowed to pass.
Traffic had grinded to a halt on both sides of the busy Mirpur Road during the blockade.
Tired of waiting for public transport, some were seen moving on foot to reach their destination.
Protests in Dhaka for a 50% discount on bus fares have continued for the past few days after the rates were revised following a hike in fuel prices.
The demonstrations intensified with demands for road safety on Wednesday, when a Notre Dame College student was run over by a city corporation garbage truck in the city’s Gulistan.
Dhaka traffic went haywire on Thursday when students demonstrated on the roads in Motijheel, Gulistan, Shantinagar, Farmgate and Asad Gate areas for hours.
