Students blocked the intersection in Dhaka’s Science Lab area demanding half fare and safety of women and children in local public transports for a couple of hours on Tuesday.
They took position around midday and chanted slogans, halting traffic movement in the area. However, vehicles used for emergency services were allowed to move.
The students called off the protest around 2:30pm, giving the authorities concerned a deadline of 48 hours to meet their demands.
The protesting students of Dhaka College, City College and Ideal College said paying half the usual bus fare is their “right”.
"We will continue our protest until an announcement is made to halve the fare in all kinds of public transports,” Zahirul Islam, a student of Ideal College, told Bangla Tribune.
Also Read - Students vandalize bus, block road demanding half fare in Dhaka
According to witnesses, the students vandalized at least two city service buses during their protest.
Meanwhile, Dhanmondi police OC Md Ekram Ali Mia said law enforcers rushed to the spot to keep the situation under control.
Students of different schools and colleges have been demonstrating in the capital for the last few days demanding bus rides at half fares and an end to harassment by bus staff.
The government increased the prices of diesel and kerosene by Tk15 per litre on November 3.
The Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) then increased the fares for intra-city and inter-district buses by 26.5% and 27%, respectively, on November 7 following an indefinite strike by the transport owners and workers.
Students want govt notification
Protesters demanded the government issue a notification to ensure half fare on all types of public transports.
The demand was voiced at a sit-in program under the banner of general students in Dhaka’s Bakshibazar area on Tuesday.
“Students must be ensured half fare in public transports immediately. For this the government has to issue a notification,” Ismail Samrat, chief coordinator of the Seven Colleges Movement and a student of Dhaka College, told reporters.
By increasing the fare of public transport, additional burden has been imposed on the students and their families, he said, adding that in a family with more than one student or child, parents are struggling to pay for education, cost of tiffin and transportation, he added.
Sexual harassment of women on public transport should also be stopped, said Samrat.
