As Dhaka chokes in traffic amid demos, public attention turns to ‘inefficient’ traffic cops

Students as well as various organisations held demonstrations today (18 August) causing Dhaka roads to be jam packed.

Traffic was halted in areas, including Doel Chattor, Uttara, Shahbagh, Mirpur road, Science Lab and the National Press Club.

Commuters were left suffering as today was the first day of schools reopening after the July protests. 

Vehicles were in a gridlock during the evening as well.

One such commuter, travelling from Mohammadpur to Shahbagh, attributed the traffic halt to a lack of efficiency on the part of traffic police.

“There weren’t enough traffic police, or those who were present seemed to lack measures to regulate the vehicles especially on the major intersections, thus causing us to reach our destination much later than usual,” said Nilima Faris.

A group of students were seen blocking the road at the Science Lab intersection, Uttara and Newmarket, demanding the cancellation of HSC exams. 

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Additional Commissioner of Police Md Munibur Rahman said the city traffic intensified as there were demonstrations being staged in various places as well as educational institutions reopening after a long halt. 

From 9am till 3pm, women activists of the ‘Tathya Apa’ project blocked the road in front of the office of Chief Adviser Dr Yunus. They held a demonstration demanding the transfer of the second phase of the project to the revenue sector along with sufficient manpower. 

At around 11am this morning, hundreds of people rallied from the Shikkha Bhaban area to the National Press Club with various demands, including job permanence, reform, reinstatement, among others.

Around the same hour, a group of dismissed members of the-then BDR, took a position in front of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They claimed they were not involved in any mutiny. Apart from being fired without reason, they were not being hired even if they went to join other forces. Now, these former security officers said they will submit a letter to the home affairs adviser demanding reinstatement.

Police officials from the rural areas have been taking position in front of tha National Press Club for a few days now. They were seen there this morning as well.

At the same time, the Medical Assistant Training School (MATS) students formed a human chain programme protesting corruption and discrimination in front of the press club.

Bangladesh Family Planning Programme (Women) Council staged a programme demanding job stability. 

Teachers of independent Ibtedai (primary level) madrasa formed a human chain to demand an end to discrimination in the Madrasa board. 

Apart from this, an organisation called Trinamool Nagorik Andolon held a rally demanding the trial of Sheikh Hasina and her government officials.

Apart from the press club, traffic stretched toward the High Court area. 

This morning, a group was seen standing with a banner in front of the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority at Banglamotor to press their demands. 

Another group took position in front of the Directorate of Family Planning in Karwan Bazar. 

Sergeant Sheikh Imran Hossain said due to road blockades, traffic came to a standstill in the press club and Secretariat areas after 11am.