Students of government and private polytechnic institutes have announced blockade of railway across the country to protest against the attack on their programme by the law enforcers and press home their six-point demand.
Zubair Patwary, a representative of the technical students' movement, made the announcement on Wednesday evening, April 16, after a sit-in programme all day long at Tejgaon Saat Rasta intersection in Dhaka.
He said, "Our movement will continue until the demands are met. We will hold non-cooperation movement on Thursday (April 17) across the country and along with, block rail tracks at all important points."
They also called a nationwide non-cooperation movement.
Polytechnic students blocked roads in Dhaka and some districts of the country to press home their six-point demand, including cancellation of the High Court verdict on the promotion of craft instructors to junior instructors.
Traffic movement at Tejgaon Saat Rasta intersection in the capital remained halted since this morning as students of polytechnic institutes blocked the road.
The students took to the streets around 10:30am, said Rafiqul Islam, deputy commissioner of Tejgaon traffic zone.
The road blockade slowed traffic in Moghbazar, Karwanbazar, Shahbagh, Ramna, Shantinagar, Bangla Motor and Hatirjheel areas of the capital.
Many commuters were seen using alternative routes to reach their destinations.
Long tailbacks also created on the Moghbazar and Karwanbazar flyovers.
Meanwhile, a group of polytechnic students gathered in front of Allah Karim Mosque in Mohammadpur, disrupting traffic movement in nearby Asadgate, Beribadh and Dhanmondi areas.
The agitating students are demanding immediate transfer of all ‘controversial’ craft instructors appointed in 2021 under the Directorate of Technical Education and the continuation of the four-year Diploma in engineering course with each semester lasting a full six months.
They are also calling for restrictions on recruitment for the post of Sub-Assistant Engineer (10th grade), ensuring these positions remain reserved for diploma engineers and a reform of the Technical Education Board to prevent non-technical personnel from holding key roles.
Other demands include amending the Directorate’s recruitment rules, appointing qualified technical personnel to fill vacant posts and teaching positions, and ensuring 100% seat allocation in proposed four engineering colleges for diploma graduates to pursue higher education.
Polytechnic students also staged demonstrations in Cumilla, Narsingdi, Brahmanbaria, Dinajpur and Pabna districts.
AAH/MSU