Avoid Shahbagh, Press Club, Paltan as multiple protests snarl Dhaka traffic
Dhaka commuters are facing severe traffic congestion in the Shahbagh, Press Club, and Paltan areas today (12 October) as multiple demonstrations have brought central parts of the city to a standstill.
Thousands of teachers and employees from MPO-listed educational institutions have launched a sit-in in front of the Jatiya Press Club, demanding the issuance of a gazette for promised allowance increases, including a 20% house rent and other benefit hikes.
"Due to the teachers' protest at the Press Club area, traffic is slightly more congested than usual in Paltan, Press Club, and Shahbagh areas," said Tariqul Alam Suman, traffic inspector of Dhaka Metropolitan Police's Shahbagh Zone.
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Summary
- MPO-listed teachers held a sit-in at the Press Club demanding a 20% hike in house rent and allowances
- NTRCA candidates demonstrated at Shahbagh seeking a special recruitment circular
- Dhaka College students blocked the Science Lab area, urging the government to establish Dhaka Central University at a different location
At the same time, candidates who passed the 18th exams of the Non-Government Teachers' Registration and Certification Authority (NTRCA) but were denied recruitment gathered at Shahbagh, demanding a special recruitment circular to fill vacant posts in educational institutions.
Police later dispersed the protesters and moved them in front of the National Museum, where they continued their demonstration.
Police said the NTRCA candidates may besiege the Shahbagh intersection, prompting deployment of additional police forces in the area.
Earlier, students of seven government colleges in Dhaka previously affiliated with Dhaka University announced a "long march to Shikkha Bhaban" programme demanding the immediate issuance of the Dhaka Central University ordinance, which would merge the colleges into one university.
Adding to the traffic disruption, Dhaka College students gathered in the Science Lab area of the capital to protest the formation of the "Dhaka Central University," which proposes merging seven colleges into one on their campus.
"However, the students cleared the road about an hour after the blockade," said Jishanul Haque, Additional Deputy Commissioner of DMP's Dhanmondi Zone.
One of the protesting students said, "We have no objection to forming the 'Dhaka Central University,' but it should be established on a campus other than ours."
The combination of protests has brought traffic to a crawl across Topkhana Road, Shahbagh, High Court, and Paltan areas.
Commuters are advised to avoid these routes and use alternative roads until further notice. Traffic authorities are deployed at key points to manage diversions and ensure limited vehicle movement.
