Staff Correspondent, Dhaka
Leaders and activists of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement on Wedneday held a protest by blocking the Rangpur-Dhaka highway, demanding the appointment of at least five advisers from Rangpur and Rajshahi divisions in the interim government.
During the protest, they set a deadline for the appointment of advisers from these regions by evening, with a warning of a "shutdown" and further actions if their demands were not met.
Earlier, at around 11am, the students marched from the front of Carmichael College in Lalbagh, Rangpur, walking 2.5km to the entrance of the city at Modern More, where they blocked the Rangpur-Dhaka highway.
Many people from various levels of society joined the protest, showing solidarity with the movement.
Due to the blockade, road communications between Rangpur and eight districts of the division were completely halted, causing a 10km traffic jam on both sides of the highway.
Thousands of people faced tremendous hardship, with many attempting to walk to their destinations.
The student leaders at the rally criticized the government, claiming that after the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government on 5 August, they had hoped the historic discrimination against the Rangpur region would end.
However, they pointed out that despite key figures from Rangpur and Rajshahi divisions being left out of the adviser panel, 13 advisers were appointed from a single division.
They also highlighted the lack of representation of Rangpur residents in key government positions, such as ministry secretaries and police.
The students reminded the crowd of the sacrifice made by Abu Sayed, who had fought for the removal of discrimination against the people of Rangpur.
They vowed to continue their protest if their demands were not met by the evening, threatening a blockade, shutdown, and tougher actions in the Rangpur and Rajshahi divisions.
However, they lifted the blockade at senior police officers' request around 1:45pm, and traffic movement resumed.
Assistant Police Commissioner Abdur Rashid said the students were protesting against what they said was severe discrimination faced by the people of Rangpur.
He said the movement had strong support from the local population, but the police requested the students to maintain law and order.
Rashid added that the situation is under control.
