Police blocked a group of protesting students on Tuesday as they marched towards the Dhaka Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board in Bakshi Bazar after lifting their road blockade at the Science Lab intersection.
The students, who are demanding the education minister’s resignation along with two other demands, had blocked the Science Lab intersection from around 11:30am, bringing traffic on the Dhanmondi-New Market road to a standstill.
The blockade caused long tailbacks in both directions, leaving buses, private vehicles and CNG-run auto-rickshaws stranded and causing widespread inconvenience to commuters.
Around 12:30pm, the protesters withdrew the blockade and gathered in front of Dhaka College, where they discussed their next course of action.
Some proposed marching towards the Secretariat, others suggested heading to the Education Ministry, while another group called for a march to the Dhaka Education Board in Bakshi Bazar.
Following the discussion, the majority decided to head towards the Education Board via the Dhaka University campus.
However, police stopped the procession near the vice-chancellor’s quarters of Dhaka University. Officers were later seen holding discussions with the protesters.
Following the withdrawal of the blockade, traffic on the Dhanmondi-New Market road gradually returned to normal, with vehicles resuming movement and congestion easing in surrounding areas.
The protesters said they would continue their movement until the authorities provide specific assurances regarding their demands.
