Students of Tamirul Millat Kamil Madrasa blocked the Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway in Tongi, Gazipur, on Sunday to protest the death of a ninth-grade student in a road accident near the Gazipura area.
The protest began in the morning, with students gathering in front of the madrasa’s main gate and later taking position on the highway near Gazipura bus stand. The blockade was still continuing at around noon, according to local sources.
The demonstration severely disrupted traffic along one of the major transport corridors serving Gazipur and Dhaka. Long tailbacks formed on both sides of the highway, leaving passengers and drivers of long-distance buses, public transport, private cars and goods vehicles stranded. The congestion also affected surrounding roads as vehicles sought alternative routes.
The deceased was identified as Yasin Ali, 17, a ninth-grade student of Tamirul Millat Kamil Madrasa. He was the son of Ripon Mia of Neyapara area under Sujanagar police station in Pabna. Yasin lived with his family in a rented house in the Kajipara area of Gazipura, Tongi.
According to police and local residents, the accident occurred at around 7.30pm on Saturday when Yasin was attempting to cross the Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway near Gazipura bus stand. A speeding covered van struck him, throwing him onto the road.
Yasin sustained severe injuries, particularly to his head, and suffered heavy bleeding. Police and local people rescued him and took him to Tongi Government Hospital, where doctors declared him dead after arrival.
The covered van driver fled the scene following the collision. Police, however, seized the vehicle and took it to Tongi East Police Station. Officers are working to identify and apprehend the driver, police said.
News of Yasin’s death triggered anger among students at the madrasa. They took to the streets on Sunday morning, initially demonstrating near the institution before moving onto the highway and bringing traffic to a halt.
The protesters said the area around Gazipura bus stand and the madrasa is heavily used by students, pedestrians and commuters, yet adequate facilities for safely crossing the busy highway are lacking. They also pointed to the high speed of vehicles travelling along the road as a major factor increasing the risk to pedestrians.
The students demanded effective speed-control measures, including speed breakers, in the Gazipura area. They also called for steps to construct a footbridge so that students and other pedestrians can cross the highway safely. In addition, they demanded stricter control of vehicle speeds and other measures aimed at preventing further crashes.
The protesters stressed that action should not be limited to the aftermath of Yasin’s death. They want permanent safety measures introduced so that other students and pedestrians do not face similar risks.
Mehedi Hasan, officer-in-charge of Tongi East Police Station, said police were speaking with the students in an effort to bring the situation under control. He added that police were also working to arrest the driver allegedly involved in the crash.
The incident has once again highlighted pedestrian safety concerns around schools, bus stands and densely populated areas beside major highways. Such locations often bring together large numbers of pedestrians and fast-moving vehicles, making safe road crossings particularly important.
Residents said authorities should identify accident-prone points along the highway and introduce permanent safety measures rather than relying solely on temporary action after a fatal crash. The students’ blockade also underscored the growing demand for safer road infrastructure around educational institutions and busy public transport points.
