Diploma engineering students staged fresh protests on Tuesday in Gazipur, blocking both roads and railway lines to press several demands, including the cancellation of a 33 percent quota reserved for BSc engineers in the post of Sub-Assistant Engineer.

As a result of the blockade, traffic came to a standstill on the Shimultoli regional road, while train operations on the Gazipur–Rajshahi railway route were suspended. Passengers faced severe inconvenience due to the disruption.

The protest began around 10:30 am, with demonstrators occupying key points on both the road and rail tracks. By the time this report was prepared at around 11:45 am, the blockade was still ongoing. Two trains were forced to halt at Joydebpur Junction during the demonstration.

Earlier on Sunday afternoon, students under the banner of the Diploma Engineers Welfare Foundation had also held a sit-in at the Shimultoli area, demanding changes to the recruitment policy.

The protesting students argue that allocating 33 percent of tenth-grade Sub-Assistant Engineer posts to BSc engineers is discriminatory toward diploma engineers. They described the recent notification issued by the Ministry of Education as merely symbolic and warned of tougher actions if the disputed committee is not dissolved and their demands are not met.

Their key demands include reserving tenth-grade Sub-Assistant Engineer and equivalent posts exclusively for diploma engineers, withdrawal of the controversial circular, and swift resolution of the related writ petition.

Meanwhile, the road and rail blockade has caused widespread hardship for commuters and office-goers. Heavy congestion has been reported across several areas of Gazipur as vehicles are being diverted to alternative routes.

Joydebpur Railway Junction Station Master Munna Banik said train services were suspended from around 10:30 am due to the protest on the railway tracks, leaving two trains stranded at the station and passengers in distress.

Gazipur Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Aminul Islam said police were deployed at the scene after receiving reports of the blockade and were holding discussions with the protesters to resolve the situation.