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At least 50 people, including teachers, students and journalists, were injured on Wednesday when police dispersed a long march organised by Jagannath University (JnU) towards the chief adviser's residence Jamuna for realising their three-point demand.
Of the injured persons, 10 were hospitalised.
The law enforcers charged batons, fired sound grenades and tear gas, and used water cannons to disband the procession when it reached near Kakrail Mosque around 12:30 pm.
As the demonstrators attempted to breach the police barricade and proceed to Jamuna, the law enforcers began baton-charging the crowd.
The protesters eventually retreated and moved toward the Matsya Bhaban intersection.
According to students participating in the long march, the injured persons were taken to hospital for treatment.
"July Unity", a platform comprising political, social, and cultural organisations of the university, convened the programme.
Earlier in the afternoon, a delegation of students and teachers had met with the University Grants Commission (UGC).
However, as no satisfactory announcement came from the UGC, students declared the 'Long March to Jamuna' in protest.
The three-point demand is as follows:
1. Housing allowance must be allocated for 70 per cent of Jagannath University students from the 2025-26 fiscal year until proper housing arrangement is ensured;
2. The proposed full budget for Jagannath University for the FY2025-26 must be approved without any amendment.
3. The construction work on Jagannath University's second campus must be implemented as a priority project after approval in the next Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) meeting.
talhabinhabib@yahoo.com