“Dhaka Polytechnic Students Block Roads at Midnight”

Late on Wednesday night, students of Dhaka Polytechnic Institute staged a road blockade in the Tejgaon Satrastha area of the capital, demanding the implementation of the tenth-grade pay scale for diploma engineers. The protest began around 11:30 pm, when students marched from their hostels and occupied the main thoroughfare, bringing vehicular traffic to a standstill.

The demonstrators stated that unless the recommendation to recruit BSc engineers for the position of Assistant Engineer is withdrawn, they would intensify their movement. They argued that the current policy disregards the long-standing demands of diploma engineers for promotions and fair grading.

Earlier, to address ongoing tensions between BSc and diploma engineers, the interim government had formed a committee to mediate. This committee subsequently recommended that BSc engineers be appointed to the Assistant Engineer posts. The announcement immediately sparked anger among diploma students and engineers, who saw the decision as unfair and discriminatory.

Students participating in the protest said that appointments for positions reserved for diploma engineers being allocated to BSc graduates undermined the principle of equal opportunity. They demanded the immediate cancellation of the committee’s recommendation and called for the implementation of the tenth-grade pay scale for diploma engineers without delay.

Under the banner of the “Technical Student Movement,” the students also announced a boycott of examinations at polytechnic institutes starting Thursday, aiming to press their demands more forcefully.

Authorities at Dhaka Polytechnic confirmed the blockade disrupted traffic for several hours, although no reports of violence or injuries were immediately received. Police and administrative officials engaged with student representatives overnight in an attempt to negotiate a resolution, but discussions reportedly remained inconclusive.

Summary of Protest Details:

The protest highlights the continuing tension between diploma and BSc engineers in Bangladesh, with students calling for recognition of their qualifications and long-standing demands for career progression. Officials have urged dialogue, but students appear prepared to escalate their movement if their concerns remain unaddressed.