Students block Farmgate intersection, demand safer roads

Students blocked the Farmgate intersection in Dhaka on Thursday, pressing a five-point demand that includes ensuring safer roads, disrupting traffic in the area.

The protest follows the death of a young man named Sifat, who was killed in a truck accident in the Farmgate area two days ago. In response, students took to the streets demanding justice.

The protesting students occupied the intersection, halting traffic around 12:00 pm, confirmed Ibne Mizan, Deputy Commissioner of Tejgaon Division under the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP).

He said the students blocked the road to demand safer roads, and that the authorities are currently in talks with them.

Regarding Sifat’s death, DC Mizan stated that a case has been filed over the truck accident that killed Sifat, an employee of a local establishment, and that efforts are underway to apprehend the accused.

The students’ demands include justice for Sifat and a public apology from the administration for labeling protesting students as “terrorists.” They also called for clearing footpaths of illegal shops, temporary structures, unauthorized markets, and street dwellers. In addition, they urged strict enforcement of “No Parking” zones, restriction of auto-rickshaws, trucks, and other heavy vehicles on the road from the railway crossing to the church, and installation of three speed breakers near educational institutions along with adequate lamp posts, lane dividers, and traffic islands to improve road safety.