Police on Monday foiled an attempt of eight left-leaning student organisations to block Shahbagh intersection to press home their various demands, including half fare on public transport for students. Their other demands include government steps to control the abnormal price hike of daily essentials and reduce fuel prices. The leaders and activists of the left-leaning organizations brought out a procession from Dhaka University’s TSC area at noon, said Moudud Hawladar, officer-in-charge of Shahbagh Police Station. Also read: Students block roads again demanding road safety, half fare When their procession got close to the National Museum, police obstructed them, leading to a scuffle between the students and police. Police later dispersed the protesters.

A writ petition has been filed before the High Court seeking its directions to allow students to travel by half-fare on bus, train and launch across the country. Supreme Court lawyer Md Yunus Ali Akand filed the writ petition citing public interest on Wednesday. Read: Demo for half fare: Protesters attacked, one ‘picked up’ In the petition, Yunus said that the income of the students' guardians has decreased due to Covid pandemic. The ongoing movement of students demanding half-fare travel is logical as the parents are struggling to pay education fees. The writ said the government’s inaction half fare issue is a violation of fundamental rights of the student as per the Constitution. Instead of ensuring education, the government is violating the constitution by forcing students to protest on the streets. Read: Demo for half bus fare: Students give 48-hour ultimatum The secretaries of the home ministry, shipping ministry, railways ministry and ministry of road transport and bridges and the Inspector General of Police have been named as defendants in the petition. Earlier on November 22, the lawyer had given a legal notice to the authorities concerned. Writ was filed after failing to get any reply to the notice. The HC may hold hearing on this petition on Sunday, the petitioner said.