Bruised, not broken
Students across the country continued their movement yesterday, demanding safe roads and justice for their two peers killed in a road crash on July 29.
They also demonstrated on roads and campuses throughout the day, protesting the BCL attack on students.
Though they were fewer in number compared to the last few days, and were barred by law enforcers from demonstrating in some places, students in a show of defiance and determination marched on to realise their demands.
JAHANGIRNAGAR UNIVERSITY
Protesting the BCL attack, students of Jahangirnagar University observed a daylong strike on the campus and brought out a procession, reports our JU correspondent. At one stage, they also barred movement of university vehicles.
Meanwhile, BCL activists distributed leaflets on the campus, depicting the prime minister's initiatives regarding road safety while urging students not to pay heed to rumours.
In the evening, around 1,000 students brought out a torch procession and staged a play, protesting the BCL attack. They also announced to stage a “March to Dhaka” programme today.
RAJSHAHI
Students of several schools and colleges in Rajshahi demonstrated on different city roads yesterday, report our correspondents.
In the morning, a group of protesting students tried to gather in the city's zero point area but they were dispersed by law enforcers. Divided in smaller groups, they later demonstrated in Gourhanga Railgate, Vadra Mor and Talaimari intersection.
Chanting slogans, the demonstrators also assumed the role of traffic police, checking driving licences and fitness certificates.
Meanwhile, students of Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology staged a sit-in for three hours in front of the university in the afternoon.
Rajshahi University students also demonstrated on the campus around the same time. Expressing solidarity, around 200 students along with teachers brought out a silent procession.
Earlier, some 400 students formed a human chain on the campus, demanding safe roads. They declared to boycott classes and examinations from today until their demands are met.
SYLHET
Students of several colleges gathered in front of Central Shaheed Minar in Sylhet city's Chowhatta area in the afternoon and demonstrated for several hours, reports our correspondent.
Students of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (Sust) also observed a strike on campus, protesting the BCL attack. They also blocked Sylhet-Sunamganj highway for an hour in the morning.
Some of the BCL activists of Sust unit joined the protest and condemned the attack on students.
BARISAL
Expressing solidarity with the ongoing student movement, Barisal University students demonstrated on the campus in the morning.
They blocked Barisal-Patuakhali highway for an hour around noon, reports our correspondent. Around 11:00am, students of various institutions formed a human chain beside C&B Road.
Newly elected Barisal City Corporation Mayor Serniabat Sadiq Abdullah expressed solidarity with the students and urged them to return to classes.
Meanwhile, bus services from Barisal to 21 districts including Dhaka remained suspended for the third consecutive day yesterday, causing untold sufferings to thousands of people.
Transport owners took the decision fearing vandalism, said Aftab Hossain, president of Barisal District Bus Owners' Association. They are not running buses because of “safety issues” and bus service will resume when they feel safe, he added.
CHITTAGONG
The protesting students stayed off the roads in Chittagong yesterday.
However, leaders and activists of Bangladesh Chhatra League, Jubo League and Bangladesh Swechchhasebak League took position at Wasa intersection and several other port city roads since morning, reports our correspondent. They stayed at the intersection till afternoon.
Jahed Hossain Titu, vice-president of Omar Gani MES College unit of BCL, said their activists were on the streets to prevent any chaos.
BCL men at the intersection also detained two alleged Shibir activists and handed them over to police. The detainees -- Md Sifat, 23, and Md Asif, 24, -- are students of International Islamic University Chittagong.
Mohammad Mohsin, officer-in-charge of Kotwali Police Station, said, “The two are in police custody. We are looking into the matter.”
An eyewitness, seeking anonymity, told The Daily Star that a small number of students gathered at the intersection in the morning but police dispersed them.
When asked, the OC said he did not know anything about it.
Meanwhile, around 20 students met Mohammed Elias Hossen, deputy commissioner of Chittagong, at his office in the afternoon, reports our staff correspondent.
They announced to return to classes after the DC assured them of meeting their demands.
Their demands include zebra crossing and speed breakers on roads, barring drivers without licences or underage drivers from driving, and providing buses for educational institutions, said the DC.
“I assured them of implementing the demands within my purview and for the rest, we will appeal to the Prime Minister's Office,” he added. “Students promised to return to classes from today.” Elias added that they will launch a mobile court drive from today to make sure vehicles are being operated in accordance with law.
RANGPUR
Students in Rangpur also did not demonstrate on the roads. Most of them attended their classes, said Saifur Rahman, additional superintendent of police.
Meanwhile, transport owners and workers held a meeting in Rangpur Central Bus Terminal area to assess the ongoing situation, reports our Dinajpur correspondent.
Abdul Mozid, general secretary of Transport Workers' Union in Rangpur, said they also want safety on roads. About the ongoing transport strike, he said the workers' union did not impose the strike, it was called by the owners.
In Dinajpur, students also stayed off the roads.
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