JnU Correspondent :The students of Jagannath University (JnU) staged demonstration for the 24th consecutive day on Wednesday blocking roads at Paltan intersection in the city reiterating their demand for construction of residential halls. As a result, stalemate prevailed there for three hours.The demonstrators will hold a congregation programme with teachers, students and intellectuals near the Central Shaheed Minar on Friday. In the evening of the day, a torch rally has been planned at Shahbagh, and on Saturday they will form a human chain with students of all public universities of the country.Khairunnesa, a spokesperson of the movement, said, “We have been demonstrating for over three weeks for halls, but we are yet to get any assurance from the government. In fact, our demonstration for dormitory will continue until the Prime Minister gives us assurance.”The spokesperson urged the teachers and students of all public universities and intellectuals of the country to attend the congregation programme at the Central Shaheed Minar on Friday at 3pm. In the meantime, at a press conference, JnU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Mijanur Rahman said, “Movement for hall is logical. But students should also attend their classes and examinations, and at the same time, they should keep trust in the university authority who is always working to solve their accommodation problem.” He urged the students to submit their demands through a memorandum, which will be sent to the PM office for consideration.The VC also said, “A Draft Project Proposal of tk 274cr for students’ dormitory and the development work of the university is under consideration. The PM assured me through the Education Minister about the project after Eid vacation.”According to eyewitnesses, locking all the buildings, thousands of students thronged the university liberation sculpture premises around 7.30am and brought out a procession that Marched to Paltan breaking the barricades at Roy Shaheb Bazar intersection and Nayabazar intersection. They staged demonstrations with a token dead body covered with a white piece of cloth in that area from 10.00am to 1.00pm blocking Topkhana Road. Thus, the traffic movement of that area stood still for three hours. Julia Akter, a student of mass Communication and Journalism Department, said, “We are harassed not only by the BCL men, but also by the law enforces. We earnestly ask the university authority to take step about the matter.”About harassing, Katwali Thana OC Abul Hassan did not admit the accusation. JnU Proctor Dr Noor Mohammad said, “We are aware of the safety of the students. We have already advised the law enforces team not to hassle the students anyway.”Since August 1, the JnU students have been demonstrating for allotment of lands of the abandoned Central Jail in Old Dhaka for construction of residential halls named after Bangabandhu and four National Leaders.
