Protests disrupt city life again

Protests blocking major thoroughfares in Dhaka's Karwan Bazar and Shahbagh yesterday left the capital largely paralysed, causing immense sufferings to commuters.
The traffic situation worsened as a demonstration by stranded migrant workers blocked Karwan Bazar and another by students of Medical Assistant Training Schools (MATS) Shahbagh intersections for hours, disrupting traffic almost all day long.
Vehicular movement at Karwan Bazar remained suspended for nearly three hours as a group of stranded migrant workers demonstrated from around 9:00am till 12:00pm, demanding government steps to ensure their return to Malaysia.
The blockade caused severe traffic congestions on the roads across Farmgate, Bangla Motor, Panthapath and adjacent areas.
After noon, the protesters marched towards the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment on Eskaton Garden Road to press home their demand, and continued their demonstrations there till 3:30pm.
Meanwhile, students of MATS blocked Shahbagh intersection for over six hours to realise their four-point demand including recruitment to vacant positions in the 10th grade, and creation of employment opportunities.
The students initially started their protest at 10:40am, blocking one side of the main road under the Karwan Bazar metro rail station. Later, at around 11:15am, they rallied to the National Museum in Shahbagh, and enforced a blockade there around 12:50pm, halting vehicular movement around the four sides of the intersection, prompting many commuters to walk to their destinations.
The protesters left the spot around 6:00pm upon receiving assurance from the concerned ministry. However, the congestion persisted for hours due to the pressure of commuters returning from offices.
Shaheen Alam, a private service employee, was seen stuck at Elephant Road around 2:00pm.
So was Samia Islam. She said she was traveling to Karwan Bazar and got stuck at Khamarbari for about 30 minutes at 4:30pm.
Rezaul Karim, who came to Labaid Hospital in Dhanmondi, he had to wait an hour in traffic on Mirpur Road due to gridlock.
Abdul Hannan, assistant commissioner (Traffic, Ramna) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, said the blockade at Shahbagh caused severe congestion on the roads.
"Buses were diverted via Bangla Motor, while cars and smaller vehicles were rerouted through Minto Road due to severe congestion," he added.
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