Students Block Sciencelab and Farmgate; Traffic Gridlock Grips Capital

Earlier, they also staged blockades on the Elevated Expressway and the Farmgate-Khamarbari road, causing severe traffic congestion on surrounding streets.

The protesters demanded that the updated draft of the Dhaka Central University Act-2025 be approved in tomorrow's (January 15) Advisory Council meeting, followed by the issuance of the President's final ordinance. They noted that since the draft was published on the Ministry of Education's website on September 24 last year, it has been updated through several consultation meetings.

According to the students, during their sit-in programs on December 7 and 8, the Ministry of Education assured them that the ordinance would be issued in early January. They took to the streets today as no visible progress has been made. However, the Ministry stated that significant progress has been achieved, and the draft will be sent to the Advisory Council after receiving approval from the Cabinet and the Legislative Division.

During the blockade, students also demanded a fast-track trial and the arrest of the killers of Sakibul. They chanted slogans such as "My brother is in the grave, why is the killer outside?" and "My brother's blood shall not go in vain." Notably, Sakibul Hasan Rana, who was critically injured during a clash at Tejgaon College on December 6, passed away on December 10 after four days of treatment.

Law enforcement agencies remain on-site to monitor the situation. The students have declared that they will not withdraw the blockade until justice is served and the ordinance is issued.