Rajshahi, Apr 16  (V7N) – Students of the Polytechnic Institute in Rajshahi have initiated a protest by blocking key railway and road routes at the Gorhanga intersection, demanding the fulfillment of their six-point charter of demands. The blockade commenced at 12:00 PM local time on Tuesday, with the students vowing to continue their movement until their grievances are addressed.

"Students of the Polytechnic Institute are protesting by blocking railway and road routes at Gorhanga intersection in Rajshahi for their six-point demands. They started the blockade program from 12 noon on Tuesday. They announced to continue the movement until their demands are met," reported Md. Ramadan Ali, Rajshahi Bureau.

The blockade has resulted in a complete halt of traffic in the affected area, causing significant disruption to transportation. Following the initiation of the protest, army personnel arrived at the scene and attempted to persuade the students to clear the blockade. By approximately 2:00 PM local time, authorities managed to open one side of the road to allow some vehicular movement.

"During this time, traffic in the area was stopped. After the blockade, the army went to the scene and tried to remove them. At around 2 pm, one side of the road was opened," Ali noted.

The students' six-point demands include calls for the High Court to overturn what they deem the illegal promotion of craft instructors to the position of junior instructor. They are also demanding the cancellation of the provision allowing admission at any age into the Diploma in Engineering courses. Furthermore, they are advocating for the appointment of graduates holding a four-year Diploma in Engineering and Monotechnology to the posts of Deputy Assistant Engineer and equivalent positions, specifically in place of reserved quotas.

"They said that the High Court should overturn the illegal promotion of craft instructors to the post of junior instructor, cancel the facility of admission at any age in the Diploma in Engineering course, and appoint those who have passed the four-year Diploma in Engineering and Monotechnology to the posts of Deputy Assistant Engineer and equivalent, instead of the reserved posts," the report detailed.

Mostaq Ahmed, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Boyaliya Model Police Station, stated that law enforcement agencies are actively working to remove the protesting students from both the road and railway tracks. Police and army personnel remain at the location. He confirmed that one side of the road has been opened to allow the passage of vehicles that were initially stranded due to the blockade.

"Boyaliya Model Police Station OC Mostaq Ahmed said they are working to remove the students from the road and railway tracks. Police and army personnel are also at the scene. The vehicles that were stuck have been allowed to pass by opening one side of the road," OC Ahmed confirmed.

The students' continued blockade underscores the intensity of their demands and their determination to press for their fulfillment. The disruption to transportation and the involvement of both police and army personnel highlight the seriousness of the situation. Negotiations and further action by authorities are expected as the protest continues.

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