Students are making the impossible possible by managing traffic on the busy roads in the capital city of Dhaka and other metropolitan cities and towns across the country in absence of traffic police.
Braving rain or summer heat, they have voluntarily shouldered this responsibility from August 6 due to
work abstention by policemen amid fear of attack after the fall of Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League
government.
Policemen are in grip of fear as some of their fellows were lynched during the mass uprising.
The students, who do not have any experience of carrying out this huge task, are working to maintain law and order and also removing debris from the roads to keep the city clean and hassle-free.
Wearing uniforms of their respective institutions or casual dresses, students of educational institutions, Bangladesh Scouts and other volunteers are controlling traffic smoothly at every intersection.
The students, divided into several groups, start working since morning and carry out this task till mid night. Being inspired by their great initiative, general people also join hands with the students.
Observing the activities of the students, many people express satisfaction, saying that the young generation may handle any situation during the crisis period of the country.
With sticks and placards in their hands, many are standing on the middle of the roads and directing the drivers to maintain the lane.
They are making the left lane free to pave the way for the drivers who wish to take the left while keeping the right lane of the road free for emergency vehicles.
Talking to the Bangladesh Post, Arpita Omi, a student of Daffodil Polytechnic Institute, said they along with some other students of other institutions are managing traffic on Panthapath Intersection.
“We have shouldered the responsibility as the traffic police are not performing their duties,” she said.
Kazi Prattay, one of the coordinators of managing traffic at Mirpur-10, said they are discharging the responsibilities to avert any chaos on the roads due to the absence of the law enforcement agencies.
“Although we do not have any experience, it does not matter. We are trying to keep flowing the traffic smoothly so that people can go to their desired destinations easily,” he said.
While observing their activities, it was seen that the students do not allow any driver to break traffic rules.
If any driver breaks the law, they signal the driver to stop and talk with the driver for breaking the law.
Even, the students are checking driving licences and other necessary documents.
If any motorcyclist or pillion are seen without helmets while riding the bike, the students ask them politely to wear helmet.
Ashis Kumar Dey, who works for the safety of roads and waterways, lauded the activities of the students saying, “The participation of the students is very inspiring. They have brought back discipline on roads in two days and compelled the drivers to go by the traffic rules.”
