Students from multiple polytechnic institutes across the country staged a road blockade protest at Saat Rasta in the capital’s Tejgaon area on Wednesday morning, pressing forward with a six-point demand that has long been left unaddressed. The demonstration began around 10:30 AM and quickly escalated as students from different institutions in Dhaka gathered and blocked major roads, including key points in Tejgaon and the Tejgaon Industrial Area.

The road blockade caused massive traffic congestion in and around the area, with its effects spreading as far as Mohakhali. Thousands of commuters were left stranded for hours as all vehicular movement came to a standstill. The disruption not only hampered daily transportation but also triggered immense suffering among office-goers, emergency patients, and school children stuck in the traffic gridlock.

Speaking to the media, Deputy Commissioner of Tejgaon Traffic Division, Rafiqul Islam, confirmed that the students from Dhaka Polytechnic had taken to the streets, causing traffic paralysis across multiple routes. “We are working to restore the flow of traffic, but unless the students withdraw from the streets, the situation is unlikely to return to normal,” he said.

Tejgaon Division’s Deputy Commissioner Ibn Mizan added that the students were demonstrating based on a six-point charter of demands. “We proposed taking a delegation of student representatives to the Secretariat to arrange a meeting with the Education Adviser. However, they declined our offer,” he said.

According to the protesting students, this is not the first time they have placed these demands. Past appeals were met with neglect, prompting this more drastic course of action. “We are on the streets because no one listened to us before,” one of the protestors said. “This time, if they want to talk, they must come to us. We will not go to the Secretariat.”

As the day progressed, the traffic situation worsened across nearby areas such as Moghbazar and Karwan Bazar. The blockade significantly disrupted daily operations in Dhaka’s central zones, known for their high traffic density even under normal circumstances.

Law enforcement officials have informed higher authorities and relevant ministries regarding the current situation. However, as of the latest reports, the students remained steadfast in their protest, showing no intention of clearing the roads until their demands receive direct acknowledgment from the government.