Students blocked the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway in Tongi on Sunday morning demanding the urgent construction of a footover bridge following the fatal road accident of a classmate.
The protest began around 11:00 AM in the Shalikchura area bringing traffic on the vital highway to a complete standstill.
The demonstration was sparked by the death of Yasin Ali, a ninth-grade student at Tamirul Millat Kamil Madrasa. Yasin was killed on Saturday night when a speeding covered van struck him as he crossed the highway near the Gazipura bus stand. While police seized the vehicle shortly after the incident, the driver managed to flee.
Outraged by the loss students took to the streets to demand safer pedestrian infrastructure. "We lost a fellow student last night" one protester stated. "We are protesting today because a footover bridge is urgently needed here to prevent further tragedies."
Tongi West Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Arifur Rahman confirmed that law enforcement officials are on the scene speaking with the students in an effort to resolve the situation and restore normal traffic flow.
