Students of Notre Dame College blocked the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway for three hours on Monday, protesting the death of a former student in a road crash and demanding the cancellation of Rajib Paribahan's route permit.
The blockade from 1:30pm to 3:30pm at the Bypass area near the college halted traffic connecting Dhaka with Mymensingh, Sherpur, Jamalpur, and Netrokona, causing severe commuter suffering. Protesters also detained three Rajib Paribahan buses.
Demonstrators gave an ultimatum until 11:00am Tuesday to cancel all Rajib Paribahan route permits, prosecute the drivers, and ensure road safety, warning of a larger movement otherwise.
Ex-student Jakirul Islam was run over and killed by a Rajib Paribahan bus at Churkhai on Sunday. Earlier on October 2, seven people, including a child, died in another crash by the same operator near Akua Bypass.
Officer-in-Charge Shibirul Islam of Mymensingh Kotwali Model Police Station, said they visited the spot and assured students of prompt legal action, leading them to postpone the protest.