Postgrad doctors lift blockade at Shahbagh after 7 hours

Postgraduate private trainee doctors withdrew their blockade at Dhaka's Shahbagh this afternoon after seven hours.
The protesting doctors blocked the Shahbagh intersection around 10:00am, demanding a hike in their monthly stipends to Tk 50,000 from Tk 25,000.
The blockade halted traffic movement through the busy intersection, causing suffering to commuters. However, they withdrew the blockade around 5:00pm.
Dr Jabir Hossain, president of the Doctors' Movement for Justice Society this evening, said, "During today's protest, we held a meeting at the Ministry of Health and Family Welfares. Additionally, the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University vice-chancellor has assured us that our demands will be met soon.
He also said, ''Therefore, we gave an ultimatum until 5:00pm next Thursday for the allowance increase and withdrew today's protest. However, our work abstention will continue during this period."
Around 5:00pm this evening, Sarjis Alam, coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and chief coordinator of the Jatiya Nagorik Committee arrived at Shahbagh.
He told the protesters, "We fully support the demands of the postgraduate doctors. This movement is justified. Discussions have taken place with various levels of the government, and we have demanded equal benefits [for the doctors] equivalent to the ninth grade."
Sarjis Alam further added, "We also expect an announcement by 5:00pm on Thursday. If no announcement is made, we will join the doctors on the streets."
Earlier, the protesters gathered at BSMMU around 10:00am and later marched towards the Shahbagh intersection.
One of the protesters, Mustafizur Rahman, said they have long been demanding a hike in their stipend, but to no avail.
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