Multiple protests and simultaneous road blockades in front of the Jatiya Press Club and adjoining areas of the capital on Sunday morning caused severe traffic congestion on several key routes, leaving officegoers and commuters stranded for hours and bringing parts of Dhaka to a standstill.
Several groups, including the Ibtedayi Madrasa Teachers’ Unity Council, teachers of schools for students with disabilities demanding MPO enlistment and recognition, and representatives of recognised but non-MPO institutions, staged sit-in demonstrations near the Press Club.
At the same time, unemployed disabled graduates and non-cadre candidates from the 43rd BCS blocked adjacent roads demanding government jobs, worsening the situation further.
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As a result, traffic movement slowed to a crawl in major areas such as Shahbagh, Press Club, Paltan, and Motijheel. Commuters and officegoers faced extreme difficulties amid the prolonged gridlock.
Despite the disruptions, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) said it has been making continuous efforts to keep traffic moving under the challenging circumstances.
In a press release, the DMP expressed deep regret for the unexpected congestion and the suffering caused to the public.
“Temporary traffic jams have occurred in some parts of the city due to ongoing protest activities. Our traffic police are working tirelessly to restore normalcy, and we seek the cooperation of the public in this regard,” the release added.
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