Cops arrest 16

Law enforcers driving out Dhaka University admission seekers from the campus yesterday when they were trying to demonstrate there demanding retaking the admission test. Photo: Banglar Chokh

Police yesterday arrested 16 Dhaka University admission seekers when they gathered at TSC to meet its Vice Chancellor AAMS Arefin Siddique to place their demand for retaking admission test at the university.

The law enforcers detained 12 students near the Raju sculpture around 10:00am and drove out others, said witnesses. Police detained four others while they were trying to regroup in the Suhrawardy Udyan near the campus.

“All of them were held on charge of creating chaotic situation from the TSC area,” said Sirajul Islam, officer-in-charge of Shahbagh Police Station.

One of the 16 demonstrators who were arrested. Photo: Banglar Chokh

They were sent to jail after being produced before the court, said Shibli Noman, Ramna Zone assistant commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police.

On Friday, the demonstrators announced to meet the VC at his office and threatened to lay siege to it if the VC does not allow them for the meeting.

Contacted, Prof Arefin said "If anyone creates disturbances to the academic activities on the campus, the law enforcers will take necessary actions."

Later, some left-leaning student organisations under the banner of "Progotishil Chhatra Jote" brought out a procession on the campus protesting the arrest and some of its leaders met the VC at his office.

On October 14, Dhaka University decided to allow only freshly passed HSC graduates to sit for admission tests, closing shutters on any second timers.