NN Online:
Police on Wednesday halted a long march by students of Jagannath University (JnU) near the Chief Adviser’s official residence, Jamuna, in the capital’s Kakrail area. The students were marching to press home their three-point demand.
According to witnesses, several hundred students began their scheduled march from the university campus at around 12:30 PM. The procession moved through key intersections including Tatibazar, Gulistan, Zero Point, and Matshya Bhaban in Kakrail.
Tensions escalated when police intercepted the march near the Kakrail mosque. A scuffle broke out as demonstrators attempted to breach a police barricade. Witnesses said law enforcers responded with baton charges, sound grenades, tear gas, and water cannons to disperse the crowd.
Following the police action, the protesters regrouped near the Matshya Bhaban intersection and later moved towards Shahbagh.
Participants claimed that at least 11 individuals, including teachers, sustained injuries during the confrontation. One of the injured was identified as Nasir Uddin, a university teacher, who was taken to Dhaka Medical College and Hospital for treatment.
The students’ three-point demand includes:
Allocation of 70 housing scholarships starting from the 2025–26 fiscal year until full housing facilities are ensured.
Approval of the proposed full budget for Jagannath University for FY 2025–26 without any cuts.
Approval and prioritization of the construction of a second JnU campus at the upcoming ECNEC (Executive Committee of the National Economic Council) meeting.
