Students from several polytechnic institutes ended their blockade at the Sat Rasta Mor in the capital's Tejgaon over their four-point demand with a focus on ensuring punishment for those who "threatened to kill diploma" students.
The blockade resulted in immense congestion, spreading to Hatirjheel, Moghbazar and Karwan Bazar areas.
The protests began around noon on Wednesday under the banner of the Bangladesh Technical Students' Movement and ended 2pm.
Students from various private institutions including Dhaka Polytechnic Institute, Mahila Polytechnic Institute, Bangladesh Glass and Ceramics Institute, and the National Polytechnic Institute participated in the blockade.
Speaking to Stream, Dhaka Polytechnic Institute student Sajib Uddin, said, "We gathered here mainly for our four-point demands. The main one is the arrest of the BUET students who ordered our killing and the implementation of peace."
He also said, "BUET students have said that they will shoot, slaughter and kill us wherever they find us. I knew BUET students were talented. But they are actually stupid."
"On Thursday, Students will move towards all polytechnic institutes and hold programmes at the important points," said Mashfiq Islam Dewan, president of the Technical Students' Movement and a student of Dhaka Polytechnic Institute, while announcing a new program.
Mashfiq Islam Dewan also said, "Today, all polytechnic institutes across Bangladesh are carrying out sit-ins, protest programs at important points in their respective districts. Tomorrow, they will conduct the same programs both at their own institutes and at other significant points across the country."
He added that diploma engineers have a history of 150 years. They did not receive the tenth-grade position as a gift from anyone. They earned this status through movements, struggles, and their competence in the workplace.
Meanwhile, Zubayer Patowari, a leader of the Technical Students' Movement, said, "Today, in this independent and unbiased Bangladesh, a conspiratorial group has emerged to destroy the country's education system. We strongly protest against them."
"Those who are trying to destroy technical education will never contribute to national development."
The students' four demands are:
- Ensure the maximum punishment for those who publicly threatened to kill diploma engineers.
- Immediate halt in all activities in support of the unreasonable three-point demands of BSc engineering students.
- Implement the six-point demands raised by the Technical Students' Movement of Bangladesh, according to their outlined framework and recommendations.
- Introduce one-channel engineering education.
Commuters bear brunt
Commuters, meanwhile, bore the brunt of the protests.
Mohammad Mehehi, who was going to Gulistan from Uttara, said, "I was going to Gulistan for urgent work. But, I saw the road was blocked. No one has any idea who blocks the road and when. I feel like a hostage."
Deputy Police Commissioner of Tejgaon Division of DMP Md Ibn Mizan told Stream, "Road diversion was given after the road blockade. Traffic police were helping us."
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