Students of Tamirul Millat Kamil Madrasah blocked the Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway in Tongi, Gazipur, on Sunday to protest the death of a classmate who was run over by a vehicle.

The blockade has caused severe traffic congestion, leaving motorists and passengers stranded and causing significant suffering for commuters.

The students began blocking the highway at around 11am on Sunday near the madrasah’s main gate and the Gazipura bus stand. The road remained blocked until 1:30pm when this report was filed.

According to police and local sources, Yasin, a Class IX student of the madrasah, was killed after being run over by a vehicle while crossing the highway at Gazipura bus stand on Saturday night.

Protesting the death and demanding the construction of a footbridge at the site, the students took to the highway and brought traffic to a standstill.

The resulting disruption has triggered severe congestion on the busy Dhaka-Mymensingh route, with motorists and passengers facing prolonged delays.

Students issue four demands

The protesting students have put forward four demands, including:

• The immediate construction of footbridges near Asia Pump and Gazipura bus stand;
• Ensuring safe passage for pedestrians across the highway;
• Taking effective measures to ensure that no student or member of the public is put at risk;
• Implementing a permanent and effective solution to prevent similar accidents in the future.

Arifur Rahman, officer-in-charge of Tongi West Police Station, said the highway remained blocked.

“Discussions are under way to resolve the problem,” he said.