Students protesting against the death of a university student in a road accident in Sitakunda, Chattogram, withdrew their nearly six-hour blockade of the highway and railway following the intervention of Chattogram Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Zahidul Islam Miah.
Following the accident, he arranged medical treatment for the injured student, contacted the family of the deceased, and discussed the students’ demands with the ministry and departments concerned.
Later, after he visited the scene and assured them that their demands would be implemented, the students lifted the blockade at 4:10pm on Tuesday.
Earlier, Maisha Mushfirat, a second-semester student of the Department of English Language and Literature at International Islamic University Chittagong (IIUC), was killed at Kumira in Sitakunda when a bus overturned after being hit by a lorry and trapped her underneath.
Another student, named Razia, was injured in the accident. Outraged by the incident, students blockaded the Dhaka-Chattogram highway and railway line, creating a long traffic jam and disrupting train movement.
Upon receiving news of the accident, the deputy commissioner contacted Chattogram Medical College Hospital to arrange proper medical treatment for the injured student.
At the same time, he spoke to Maisha’s father, Didarul Alam, expressing condolences and promising necessary support.
To handle the situation, Md Fakhrul Islam, upazila nirbahi officer of Sitakunda, and the officer-in-charge of Sitakunda police station initially went to the spot. However, as the students demanded the direct presence of the deputy commissioner, Zahidul Islam went there.
He was accompanied by Md Masud Alam, superintendent of police; Md Sefaoul Hossain, district commandant of Ansar and VDP; and the vice-chancellor and teachers of the university.
During this time, attending officials, including the deputy commissioner, took part in Maisha’s janazah held on the highway. Afterwards, he addressed the students.
Assurances of action
The deputy commissioner said, “Even before listening to your demands, I spoke with the secretary of my ministry. I also spoke with the offices concerned of the Roads and Highways Department.”
Regarding the construction of a foot overbridge in the area adjacent to the main gate of the university, he said, “I will send a written request for the foot overbridge today so that it can be constructed here within the shortest possible time.”
He also promised that necessary security measures would be taken on both sides of the road.
Addressing the demand to stop illegal lorry parking, the deputy commissioner said, “No illegal parking will remain here. If any industrial enterprise occupies the road to park lorries or vehicles, we will not allow them to keep those on the road.”
He also promised the eviction of illegal structures alongside the railway line.
The deputy commissioner also noted the assurance given by the superintendent of police regarding bringing the lorry driver involved in the accident to justice quickly.
Regarding compensation for the family of the deceased, he said that based on the family’s needs, initiatives would be taken for financial assistance through discussions with the lorry owners, and if necessary, support would also be provided by the government.
Eight-point demands
The eight-point demands of the demonstrating students include filing a case through the university authorities, arresting the driver within 24 hours and taking action against both the driver and owner, stopping illegal parking at KDS Depot, constructing a foot overbridge, providing compensation, and ensuring safe road crossing.
Pointing out that numerous vehicles, including ambulances, were stranded due to the prolonged blockade, the deputy commissioner appealed to the students to withdraw the blockade. He said, “We promise you that we will fulfil your demands within the shortest possible time.”
Following the assurances of the deputy commissioner and discussions between the administration and the university authorities, the students withdrew the blockade.
