Madrasa students take to the streets, demands foot-over bridge

Students from Tamirul Millat Kamil Madrasa in Tongi, Gazipur, have staged a protest demanding safe road crossing facilities following an accident in which one of their peers was injured while attempting to cross the road. 

On Thursday (October 29), the students blocked the Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway in the Gazipura area, calling for the immediate construction of a pedestrian overpass.

The students allege that the lack of safe crossing facilities across the busy highway near the madrasa forces them to take risks every day, creating a constant danger of a major accident. They point out that the construction of a much-needed pedestrian overpass is long overdue.

On Thursday afternoon, while crossing the road next to the madrasa, first-year Alim (higher secondary level) science student was struck by a vehicle. The student sustained serious injuries and was subsequently taken to a hospital. This incident sparked outrage among the student's peers.

Following the accident, the students occupied the highway to demand the immediate construction of a pedestrian overpass. The blockade disrupted traffic on both sides of the Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway, leading to long queues of vehicles and causing significant trouble for passengers and drivers.

The students insist that they do not want mere temporary assurances; rather, they demand concrete, visible measures to ensure safe road crossings. In addition to the construction of a pedestrian overpass, they are calling for effective interim arrangements to allow students to cross the road safely.

S. M. Shafiqul Islam, Deputy Commissioner (Crime - South Division) of the Gazipur Metropolitan Police, stated that efforts are underway to resolve the issue through discussions with the students, and that the police are working to restore normalcy.

The protesters have been hoping that the relevant authorities will take swift and effective action to ensure the student’s safety.

-    RS/NS