Protesters block Dhaka-Sylhet highway over 'conspiracy' to close Habiganj Medical College

Around one thousand people blocked the Dhaka-Sylhet highway for two hours today protesting what they said was a conspiracy to close Habiganj Medical College.

The protesters under the banner of Sammilita Nagorik Samaj Habiganj gathered at Shayestaganj New Bridge roundabout around 11:00am and blocked the road.

People from all walks of life also formed a human chain there, halting traffic movement on both sides of the highway immediately.

However, they left the place after two hours around 1:00pm.

While holding a rally during the protest, Habiganj Press Club former president Shoyeb Chowdhury said that around 25 lakh residents of the Habiganj district will not accept any move of closing the medical college.

A memorandum has already been submitted to the deputy commissioner in this regard, he said.

He threatened that if any move to shut down the institution is taken, road and railway communication of Sylhet division with the other parts of the country will be cut off.

Md Nur Alam, officer-in-charge (OC) of Chunarughat Police Station, said, "I was on duty there. The locals blocked the road peacefully. No untoward incident took place."

Currently, there are approximately 300 students studying at the medical college. There are 55 teachers and 2 curators in the institution.