Photo: Collected
For the third consecutive day, students of Government Titumir College staged a demonstration today (1 February) by blocking the road in front of their campus in the capital's Mohakhali, demanding university status for their institution. "Around 4:30pm, they started protesting blocking the campus road," Zia Rahman Ziko, additional deputy commissioner of Gulshan Traffic Zone, told The Business Standard.
"After 5pm, the protesters began marching through Amtoli and Mohakhali Rail Gate areas before returning to the college premises," he added.
As of 6:30pm, they were marching toward Gulshan-1 circle, reports our correspondent from the spot. The demonstrations have disrupted traffic on the Mohakhali-Amtoli route towards Gulshan-1 and vice versa, causing congestion in surrounding areas.
The Gulshan Traffic Division has advised commuters to use alternative routes. Earlier in the morning, students of Government Titumir College continued their hunger strike for the third consecutive day, urging the government to recognise the institution as an independent university.
Several students participating in the strike have reportedly fallen ill, but they remain resolute. They have set a deadline of 4pm today for their demands to be met.
If their seven-point demand is not accepted by then, they plan to enforce an indefinite blockade in areas under Dhaka North City Corporation, sources said. Protesting students said the movement would continue indefinitely until an announcement accepting their seven-point demands is made.
The students' demands include formal recognition of Titumir University by the state and the publication of an academic calendar. They also call for the formation of the university's administration and the commencement of admissions for the 2024-25 academic session.
Additionally, they demand accommodation for all students or financial assistance to cover their housing expenses. They insist that from the 2024-25 academic year, two internationally recognised disciplines Law and Journalism must be introduced.
They are also calling for the appointment of qualified PhD-holding faculty members, a cap on student enrolment to maintain education quality, and financial and land allocations for an international-standard research laboratory.
The protest began on 29 January, with students staging road blockades in front of their Mohakhali campus. Yesterday (31 January), they blocked roads again as part of their ongoing demonstrations.
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