Students from seven colleges have once again blocked important roads in the capital, demanding the issuance of a final ordinance for the formation of the proposed Dhaka Central University (DCU). On Thursday afternoon, the blockade at Science Lab intersection and Technical intersection in Mirpur brought traffic to a virtual standstill, causing extreme suffering to city residents.
Students took out a procession from Dhaka College at around 12:30 pm. Later, at 12:40 pm, they took up position at the Science Lab intersection. Students from Dhaka College, Eden Women’s College, Begum Badrunnesa Women’s College, Shaheed Suhrawardy College, Kabi Nazrul College, Government Bangla College and Titumir College participated in the procession.
The students said their only demand is that the Dhaka Central University ordinance be issued immediately. No further delay will be tolerated. The blockade caused severe traffic jams throughout the day on Mirpur Road and the area from Azimpur to Gabtoli. Traffic was also disrupted in Mirpur-1, 2 and 10 areas.
The passengers, who were suffering, expressed their anger and said that the blockade of important roads has made the lives of ordinary people miserable. Many are forced to walk to their destinations because they cannot find a car.
The previous day, students blocked roads in the Science Lab, Technical Intersection, Tanti Bazar and Mohakhali areas with the same demand. In addition, students of Tejgaon College also blocked roads in the Farmgate area demanding justice for the murder of a classmate.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education said that the revised draft of the Dhaka Central University Ordinance has been sent to the Ministry of Public Administration. It will be presented to the Advisory Council for approval soon after the necessary process is completed. However, the students have announced that they will continue their agitation until an effective solution is found to resolve the long-standing crisis in the seven colleges.