Students from Tejgaon College blocked the Farmgate intersection Sunday morning, paralyzing traffic in one of the city's busiest hubs. The protesters are demanding justice for Sakibul Hasan Rana, a science student who died last month after allegedly being tortured inside a college dormitory.
The blockade began around 9:15 a.m., forcing police to divert vehicles as hundreds of students occupied key traffic points. The disruption left thousands of commuters stranded for hours.
"I haven’t been able to move past Khamarbari in an hour," said Tanjir Rahman Bhuiyan, a local office worker. "While the protest may be valid, the suffering for common people is immense."
Sakibul, a 12th-grade student described by peers as "brilliant," died on Dec. 10 at a private hospital after four days in intensive care. His classmates allege he was brutally attacked on Dec. 6 inside the college hostel by a faction of the Chhatra Dal after he spoke out against drug use on campus.
Students claim there is an ongoing attempt to cover up the incident. They previously reported being barred from holding a funeral prayer for Sakibul on college grounds.
While the college administration and police have characterized the fatal clash as a dispute over smoking, students maintain that Sakibul was targeted for opposing drug-related activities.
Kyashainu Marma, Officer-in-Charge of Tejgaon Police Station, was seen at the scene attempting to negotiate with the demonstrators to clear the road.
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