Polytechnic students protest in Dhaka, other districts

Polytechnic students have 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 Wednesday morning as students of polytechnic institutes blocked the road.

The students took to the streets around 10:30 am, 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, reports UNB.

Long tailbacks were also created on the Moghbazar and Karwanbazar flyovers.

Meanwhile, a group of polytechnic students took position 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.

UNB Dinajpur correspondent reports: Students of Dinajpur Polytechnic Institute blocked roads and railway tracks near Nimnagar Bus Stand area in the district town.

They vowed to continue their protests until their demands are fulfilled.

In Pabna, the students of Pabna Polytechnic Institute brought out a procession in the morning and later blocked the Dhaka-Pabna highway in Terminal Gol Chattar area by burning tyres, said Md Maniruzzaman, officer-in-charge of Sadar Police Station.

A long tailback was created on the highway following the blockade.