National Institute of Textile Engineering and Research (Niter) students held a protest blocking the Panthapath intersection in Dhaka on Monday afternoon to press home their several demands.
The protest halted traffic from the Sonargaon signal towards Panthapath at both the Panthapath and Karwan Bazar intersections, causing severe traffic congestion on the surrounding roads.
The students blocked all the vehicles entering from the Karwan Bazar and Panthapath intersections except emergency vehicles, law enforcement vehicles, and medical patients upon showing proof of their appointment.
During this time, the students chanted various slogans.
The protesters said they had been demanding the removal of the current director of the institution due to allegations of supporting corruption, centralizing power and leading attacks on students.
Despite a month passing, the Niter administration had not accepted their demands, instead blaming the students, closing the hostels and engaging in unprofessional behaviour, they added.
They also demanded the resignation of 14 accused teachers and staff, reform of its governing body, and the opening of the hostels within the next three days.
Mohammodullah Abrar, a protest coordinator, said: “We have waited for a month for our demands to be met. Now we have chosen road blockade as the last option.”
He further confirmed that the students are ready to extend the blockade till their demands are met.
Abrar further said the director of the institute attacked students on September 3.
The students met the Ministry of Textiles and Jute on September 4, Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) authorities on September 10, and Dhaka University authorities on September 15 regarding their demands.
The students demonstrated a protest on the Dhaka-Aricha highway on Saturday and Sunday.
Iqbal Reza, Niter register, told Dhaka Tribune: “We have met their demands when they presented it before, but they are still protesting.”
When asked about the director's removal, Reza said: “They did not pose this demand before.”
Regarding resuming class activities, Reza said they will start classes as soon as possible. “We have provided a notice, if the students have followed it classes would have started by now,” said Reza.
Dhaka Tribune tried to reach the BTMA CEO, but his cell phone was switched off.
