Over 500 students from different schools and colleges of Khulna city on Tuesday blocked four key routes in the city demanding trial for killings by law enforcers during the recent quota reform protests and withdrawal of false cases against the student protesters.

Police beefed up their presence at the city’s Shibbari Mor area in the morning to tackle the preannounced demonstration at the key intersection. Students of different ages started gathering sporadically at the spot since morning but police managed to drive them away.

Around 12pm, a large procession of about 500 students went towards the same spot virtually unimpeded. They then staged a sit-in blocking vehicular movement for nearly two hours on the Khulna-Jashore highway, Majid Sarani, KDA Avenue, Ibrahim Mia Road as well as other nearby alleys and streets.

Under police pressure, they left the spot at 2pm.

Khulna Metropolitan Police Deputy Commissioner Tajul Islam told reporters that the students ended their demonstration peacefully.