JnU protesters stream in on buses

Scores of Jagannath University students have poured in from buses in Karail to express solidarity with their protesting fellows who continued demonstrating over a three-point list of demands.

Students arrived in droves boarding at least 30 regular and double-decker buses from the university between 10 am and 1:30 pm on Thursday to join the protesters who remained on the streets overnight.

Abul Hasnat, a student who joined the protest in the morning, said: “We protested all day yesterday and many of us went home to freshen up at night.

“But our brothers and sisters have been protesting for 24 hours without eating; we cannot stay at home. So we have come again to join them.”

Earlier in the day, Professor Rais Uddin, general secretary of the university's teachers’ association, went on Facebook Live, calling on students and teachers to join the protest. In response, at least five buses carrying teachers arrived at the scene in Kakrail.

Nasir Ahmed, associate professor of the university’s English department, said: “Alongside the students, hundreds of teachers have also joined the protest. Many have spent the night on the streets with the students.

“The intensity of the movement will increase with time. So, there is an appeal to the government -- accept the just demands of the neglected [Jagannath University] students as soon as possible.”

Staging a sit-in outside the chief justice’s residence, the protesters said the demonstrations would continue until the Chief Advisor’s Office sends word of assurance.

They intermittently shouted slogans, including “No compromise, only struggle”, “Won’t listen to meaningless banter, longmarch to Jamuna”, “If you want blood, give blood, but give us housing”, etc.

The demands are:

• Housing allowances for 70 percent of students until accommodation is ensured.
• Full approval of the proposed budget for Jagannath University without any cuts.
• Approval of the university's second campus project in the next ECNEC meeting and its implementation on a priority basis.

On Wednesday, the JnU teachers and students launched the “March to Jamuna” procession from the campus with demands. When the procession approached Gulistan Golap Shah Mazar, police intervened, and a scuffle ensued.

The protesters then tried to break through police barricades, prompting law enforcers to swing batons at them and later lob tear gas shells, stun grenades and blast water to fend off the protesters.

The protesters subsequently retreated to the Matsya Bhaban intersection before returning for a sit-in at the Kakrail Mosque intersection.

At least 50 people were reportedly injured, with at least 25 admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH).

Later, the university administration held a meeting with police, but with no fruitful outcome, Treasurer Sabina Sharmin, Proctor Muhammad Tazammol Hoque and Registrar Sheikh Giash Uddin started for State Guest House Jamuna to meet the chief advisor.

On their way to Jamuna, the law enforcers accused the President of the Jagannath University Teachers' Association Md Mosharraf Hossain of “misbehaviour” and the students erupted in protest again and proceeded to try and smash through the barricades.

At 6:30pm, a five-strong delegation of teachers, including the vice-chancellor and treasurer, went to the chief advisor's residence again, and remained there until 8pm, while the students then continued demonstrating at the Kakrail Mosque intersection and in front of the chief advisor's residence.