Mirpur unrest: Parents rush to bring children from schools

Garment workers’ protests and clashes brought much of Mirpur in the capital to a standstill on Sunday, disrupting road and metro rail services and leaving residents struggling to move around, with many parents rushing to schools to bring their children amid concerns over their safety.

Major roads remained blocked from the morning, halting traffic, while security gates at the entrances to several residential areas were locked, further restricting residents’ movement.

Protests spread across Mirpur-10, Mirpur-11, Mirpur-12 and Mirpur-14 and surrounding areas from Sunday morning (November 1), bringing traffic on major roads to a halt.

As the situation escalated around noon, authorities temporarily closed the Mirpur-10, Mirpur-11 and Pallabi metro rail stations for security reasons, disrupting both road and rail communications.

Residents faced additional difficulties as security gates at the entrances to residential lanes were locked amid the unrest. Vehicles, including rickshaws and motorcycles, could not enter many areas, leaving pedestrians to use smaller access gates. Many had to take alternative routes to reach neighbouring areas.

Parents were among those worst affected, particularly those trying to collect their children from schools. Mohammad Shawon set out on foot to bring his daughter, a Class Five student at HID School near Mirpur-11 bus stand, after failing to find transport.

“I am going to bring my daughter from HID School at the 11-number bus stand. I cannot go there by rickshaw, so I have started walking. I have been calling the school, but nobody is answering. I cannot contact anyone. Now I have no choice but to go there in person and bring her home,” he said.

Like Shawon, many parents grew anxious about their children’s safety as traffic remained suspended and communication with schools became difficult.

With roads blocked, many commuters had hoped to use the metro rail, only to find the Mirpur-10, Mirpur-11 and Pallabi stations closed.

Asadul Islam, a private-sector employee heading to Farmgate and Karwan Bazar from Mirpur-12, said there were no vehicles on the roads. He had planned to take the metro but found the station locked, leaving him with no option but to walk in the sun.

University student Raisa Akter, who was stranded near a metro station, said she understood the security concerns behind the closure but complained that ordinary commuters were bearing the brunt of the disruption. She was on her way to sit for an examination and was unsure how she would reach her destination.

Traffic pressure also increased on alternative roads and narrow lanes inside Mirpur. Commuters alleged that rickshaw and motorcycle fares had increased several times, while people heading out for urgent needs waited at different intersections for transport. In many areas, however, no vehicles were available.

The unrest has severely disrupted daily life across Mirpur, affecting commuters, residents with urgent needs and parents trying to reach their children at school.

Assistant Commissioner of DMP’s Traffic Mirpur Division Mahfuzul Haque Bokshi said the protests and blockades at several points since morning had severely disrupted traffic. He said traffic police were working to manage the situation amid heavy pressure on the roads.