ARAFAT RAHAMAN and MASHFIQ MIZAN

“Is this a place to ply a rickshaw?”

A student was seen telling a rickshaw puller at Hatirjheel intersection.

“Please turn the rickshaw around,” he added.

This scene was just a snapshot of the measures taken by students to maintain order during an unprecedented power vacuum in the country.

Across the city at Panthapath intersection, a group of college-goers was seen stopping another rickshaw for moving in the wrong direction.

The rickshaw passenger, a middle-aged man, was taken aback for a moment. But instead of irritation, his face broke into a warm smile.

He stepped out of the rickshaw, extending a hand to the young men and women.

“Thank you,” he said, “You’re doing a great job. Carry on.”

Then, he bought water bottles for the students.

For over 48 hours, with no police presence and absence of an existing government, students have taken it upon themselves to prevent chaos and untoward incidents.

Armed with sticks and proudly displaying the national flag on their foreheads, they have stood guard in the capital and other parts of the country. The sight brings back memories of the 2018 road safety movement, which coincidentally also took place in August.

These students, with their ID cards hanging around their necks, have created separate lanes for emergency vehicles, and have also made sure everyone follows traffic rules. They are also cleaning the city streets as wastes piled up in absence of city corporation workers.

There are reports of students guarding homes, establishments, and businesses of minority communities in different parts of the country.

Meanwhile, they have stood guard and cleaned various state establishments following the vandalism on August 5.

Students have been actively managing traffic at major intersections in Dhaka, including Gono Bhaban, TSC, Agargaon, Mirpur 10, and ECB intersection. They are also present in heavily congested areas like Dhanmondi, Kalabagan, Mirpur Road, Bijoy Sarani, Farmgate, Karwan Bazar, and Rampura, ensuring smooth vehicle flow.

Ali Wasif, a college student, said, “This is our country. Our brothers gave lives for this country. We won’t let this country descend into chaos as long as we have life in our body.” He was managing traffic at Panthapath intersection.

Commuters were gladly following their directions. Nahidul Islam, a private job holder, said, “It’s heartwarming that these young people took the duty into their hands in the absence of traffic personnel. They proved themselves; they are the guardians of this country.”

In Agargaon, students stood with placards reading, “Ajker Shikkha Hok Protidiner Obbhash” (Let today’s learning be a daily habit).

Sabbir, a student of Sher-e-Bangla Student

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