Student protests paralyse Dhaka traffic, commuters face severe disruptions

NN Online:

Major areas of the capital—Gulistan, Paltan, Shahbagh, and Kakrail—witnessed crippling traffic gridlocks on Wednesday as students from Jagannath University and several nursing institutions launched separate protest marches.

In the afternoon, hundreds of nursing students occupied the Shahbagh intersection—one of Dhaka’s busiest points—bringing vehicular movement to a standstill. The blockade caused severe delays, forcing many commuters to walk long distances or reroute their journeys.

Simultaneously, Jagannath University (JnU) students clashed with police near Kakrail while attempting to march towards the Chief Adviser’s official residence, Jamuna, to press for their three-point demand.

Eyewitnesses reported that the students began their ‘Long March’ around 12:30 pm, moving through Tatibazar, Gulistan, Zero Point, and Matsya Bhaban. Police intercepted the procession near Kakrail Mosque, resulting in a confrontation. When students tried to breach police barricades, law enforcers responded with baton charges, sound grenades, teargas shells, and water cannons, leaving several students injured.

Shafiqul Islam, Deputy Commissioner of Traffic (Ramna Division), Dhaka Metropolitan Police, said, “Student protests began intensifying traffic from 1:00 pm, and the situation deteriorated further over the next four hours.”

The afternoon rush saw the situation spiral, leaving thousands of commuters stranded and frustrated.

Many city residents expressed anger over the absence of advance warnings and lack of alternative routes, urging authorities to implement better traffic management strategies during such demonstrations.