Madrasa students block Dhaka–Mymensingh Highway in Tongi over footbridge demand

Students of Tamirul Millat Kamil Madrasa blocked the Dhaka–Mymensingh highway in Tongi on Sunday (August 9), protesting the death of a fellow student in a road accident and demanding the immediate construction of a footbridge at the accident-prone crossing.

The blockade began around 11:00am near the madrasa’s main gate and the Gazipura bus stand and was still continuing at about 1:30pm, leaving traffic on the busy highway virtually paralysed and causing severe congestion in the area.

The protest followed the death of Yasin, a ninth-grade student of the madrasa, who was struck by a vehicle while attempting to cross the highway near the Gazipura bus stand on Saturday night.

Angered by the latest fatality, the students took to the highway, demanding a permanent solution to what they described as an unsafe pedestrian crossing. They said the death had once again exposed the risks faced by students and residents forced to cross the heavily trafficked road without adequate safety infrastructure.

The protesters have put forward four demands: immediate construction of footbridges at Asia Pump and Gazipura bus stand; measures to ensure safe pedestrian crossings; steps to prevent further loss of life among students and members of the public; and a permanent and effective solution to pedestrian safety in the area.

Arifur Rahman, officer-in-charge (OC) Tongi West Police Station, said, "The highway remained blocked and authorities were holding discussions with the protesters and relevant stakeholders to resolve the situation."