Students of the International Islamic University Chittagong (IIUC) blocked the Dhaka-Chattogram highway and railway track near their campus at Kumira in Sitakunda upazila on Tuesday, protesting the death of a fellow student in a road accident.
The blockade severely disrupted road and rail communication between Chattogram and the rest of the country for several hours.
The Dhaka-bound Mahanagar Godhuli remained stranded at Chattogram Railway Station, while the Mohanagar Express was held up at Bhatiari. The Mahanagar Provati, which left Dhaka, was stuck at Sitakunda Railway Station.
The demonstration began after a bus overturned near the university’s main gate at Kumira in the morning, leaving a female student dead and several others injured.
The deceased was identified as Maisha Mushrefat, 21, a second-semester student of the Department of English Language and Literature at IIUC.
Eyewitnesses said a lorry hit a bus parked beside the road near Dallas Petrol Pump around 9:30am, causing it to overturn onto students crossing the road.
Maisha was critically injured and later died after being taken to the hospital. Two other people also sustained serious injuries and were admitted to Chattogram Medical College Hospital.
Following the incident, angry students took to the streets, blocking the highway and railway track to protest the death and press for their long-standing demand for a pedestrian bridge near the university.
A protesting student said they had repeatedly demanded the construction of a pedestrian bridge in the area to ensure the safety of students crossing the busy highway.
The university authorities suspended all classes and examinations following the accident.
IIUC Proctor Prof Mustafa Munir Chowdhury confirmed the student's death and said another student was receiving treatment for serious injuries.
Meanwhile, Chattogram Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Zahidul Islam Mian and senior police officials visited the spot to address the situation.
The students withdrew the blockade around 4:30pm following assurances from the administration that steps would be taken to address their demands.
Sergeant Shafiul Islam of Baro Awlia Highway Police Station said police seized the vehicles involved in the accident.