Bangladeshi students in charge of roads as traffic police resume work.

In Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, there is a group of students who were involved in the removal of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina from power. These students are still present on the roads of the country, managing the traffic, even though the traffic police have returned to their duties. It all began in August when Hasina fled to India and a wave of violence erupted, including revenge killings and arson. This led to most of the police force going into hiding, fearful of retaliation for their involvement in the deaths of young protesters who were demanding for quotas in government jobs to be scrapped.

In this chaotic situation, the students took it upon themselves to regulate the traffic on the streets. However, even after the traffic police returned to work on Monday, the students expressed their desire to continue managing the traffic instead of leaving it to the designated police units. On Wednesday, the students were still seen controlling the traffic, along with members of Ansar, Border Guard Bangladesh, Red Crescent, Scouts, and Bangladesh National Cadet Corps. There were only a few traffic police officers present on the roads.

The students were not just managing traffic, but also checking licenses and reminding people to use helmets. They were determined to stay on the streets until complete order was restored. The traffic police acknowledged and appreciated the students' efforts in controlling the traffic during a critical time. However, now that the traffic police have resumed their duties, the students are no longer needed there.

Enayet Ullah, a psychology student at Dhaka College and a volunteer for Bangladesh Red Crescent Society, shared that they have been working on traffic control since August 7. He mentioned that they have not received any instruction to leave the roads yet, but now that the traffic police are back, they are ready to contribute to the country in any way required in the future.

Sheikh Rafiq Swadhin, a second-year Philosophy student at Dhaka University, along with 20 others, were managing traffic in Dhanmondi. He expressed their determination to build a better country and that they will remain on the streets until further orders. The presence of the police was not significant, and they were not playing a strong role yet.

Sami Chowdhury, a student at Southeast University, mentioned that they will continue to be on the streets for three more days, as the situation is still not fully under control and there is panic among the police. However, Traffic Constable Jewel stated that there were students, Ansar, and BGB members present on the streets, and there was no need for more people as there were two traffic police officers already at the spot.

Traffic Sergeant Mahmudul further clarified that all the policemen have returned to work, and the students are no longer needed. However, he added that it was ultimately the students' decision. The Additional Commissioner of Police of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, Munibur Rahman, praised the students for their commendable role during the crisis. He mentioned that the students have studies and can leave the roads if they want, but their cooperation is always welcome.

The protests by students began in July, initially as peaceful demands to remove quotas in government jobs but later turning into a larger movement that overthrew Hasina's government. Hasina had urged the police to take strict action against the protesters, referring to them as "terrorists" who were trying to disrupt the nation. The newly formed interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, includes some student leaders. Yunus has appealed to the students to cooperate with his administration in restoring peace in the country.

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