Following the fall of the Awami League (AL) government, members of the Bangladesh police went on strike demanding their security and reforms. In such a situation, the students came out on the streets and tried to regulate traffic. However, traffic police personnel rejoined their workplaces on Monday. Still, the students say they do not want to leave the traffic management to the designated units of the police.
Even yesterday, students were seen controlling traffic on the roads. There are also members of Ansar, Border Guard Bangladesh Red Crescent, Scouts and Bangladesh National Cadet Corps (BNCC). A limited number of traffic police were also seen on the roads.
The students say that they want to stay on the streets until full order is restored. Meanwhile, traffic police personnel say that students have played a commendable role in controlling traffic during a critical period. But now that the traffic policemen have rejoined work, the students are no longer needed there.
Enayet Ullah, a student of psychology at Dhaka College and a volunteer of Bangladesh Red Crescent Society said: "We have been working on traffic control since August 7 on behalf of Bangladesh Red Crescent Society. There are no instructions for us to move off the roads yet. Since the traffic police have started working, we no longer need to be on the streets. But we are ready to contribute to the country if required in the future as well.”
Sheikh Rafiq Swadhin, a second-year student of the Department of Philosophy at Dhaka University, and 20 others were regulating traffic in Dhanmondi yesterday. He said: "We will build a beautiful country together. We will remain in the field until further orders. The policemen are here but their number is not significant. They are not playing a strong role yet.”
Sami Chowdhury, a student of Southeast University, said: "We will be on the streets for three more days. The situation is still not fully under control. There is panic among the police.”
Traffic Constable Jewel said: "There are students, Ansar and BGB members on the streets. We have two traffic policemen at the spot. There is no need for more people.”
Traffic Sergeant Mahmudul said: "From today, all our policemen have joined work. Students are no longer needed here. But that's their decision.”
Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Munibur Rahman said: "The students played a commendable role during a period of crisis. Our traffic policemen have joined their duties. We have seen students greeting them with flowers.”
He said: "We have already discussed the matter with the students. They can leave the roads if they want to. They have studies. But it is their decision. If they want to cooperate, they are always welcome from our side.”