Students and people have gathered at Central Shaheed Minar in Sylhet, defying heavy rain, to press their one-point demand.
The protesters blocked the Chowhatta-Zindabahar road on Saturday.
According to the pre-announced program, the protesters started gathering in front of the Central Shaheed Minar around 12pm. The gathering gradually increased as students from different educational institutions joined in.
Although it was announced to hold a protest march, the protesters sat on the road instead of the procession.
As a result, traffic on this busy road was stopped. Police took position next to the protesters with armoured vehicles.
When the protesters blocked the road, the police asked them to move away. This caused tension among the protesters who started chanting "Fake, Fake (Bhua, Bhua)" targeting police.
Some people rushed towards the police and protested. At one point, the police retreated.
Although the program was initially set with nine demands, the main focus of Saturday's protest was the single demand for the government's resignation. The protesters chanted this slogan, and it was also written on the placards they carried.
Around 3pm, heavy rain started, but the protesters continued the program despite the weather.
A source reports that the police are trying to convince the protesters to move away from the road, but they are ignoring the police's requests. According to the source, leaders and workers from various political parties have also joined the student protests.
Md Azbahar Ali Sheikh, deputy commissioner (North) of Sylhet Metropolitan Police, said: “The police are on alert to prevent any sabotage centred around the protest procession.”
He said: "The protesters are remaining peaceful, and we are also maintaining peace."
Guardians held a protest at the Sylhet Central Shaheed Minar, where they demanded the safety of students at 11am on Saturday.
