TDS Desk:

Protesting frequent robberies, students in Tongi blocked the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway for 45 minutes, demanding safety measures and pledging to collaborate with police to prevent crimes.

The blockade on the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway lasted 45 minutes, from 11:30am to 12:15pm on Saturday, halting traffic on both sides.

Over a hundred students from various educational institutions residing in Tongi participated in the protest near the Tongi Station Road area.

Following the demonstration, students lodged verbal complaints with Mehedi Hasan Dipu, assistant commissioner of police (Tongi Zone) under Gazipur Metropolitan Police (GMP).

The protesting students said that muggings occur daily along the Tongi Bazar to Gazipur Bus Station area, with 60–70 incidents reported every day.

At least 20 students have fallen victim to muggings in the Tongi area in recent days. The muggers, armed with sharp weapons, injure pedestrians and ordinary people, sometimes causing fatalities.

The students expressed their frustration, saying that police have completely failed to prevent these crimes.

After sunset, people avoid stepping outside unless necessary.

The students warned that if the police do not take strict measures to stop the muggings, they will announce larger protests.

However, they withdrew the blockade from the highway without considering the drivers and passengers using the route.

Assistant Commissioner Mehedi Hasan Dipu said that students have verbally reported their concerns about the muggings.

He assured them that several police patrol teams are actively working to catch the muggers. The students also offered to collaborate with the police to address the issue on the highway and other areas.