News Desk :
The students who were demonstrating in Science Laboratory area in the capital demanding half fare in public transport came under attack by ‘unknown youths’ on Tuesday afternoon.
A chase and counter-chase took place between the students and the attackers in the area and some youths were seen chasing the students with sticks, said witnesses, reports UNB.
Meanwhile, a student of Ideal College was reportedly picked up by some Dhaka College students.
Shahen Shah, additional deputy commissioner of New Market zone, said, “We’ve heard about it and we talked to the principals of the two colleges. Necessary steps will be taken in this regard.”
Earlier in the day, students from different colleges, including Dhaka College, City College and Ideal College, put barricades in Science Laboratory area around 12:30 pm demanding half fare for students in public transport and issuance of a gazette notification in this regard.
They also threatened to resume movement on Saturday if their demand is not met by Friday.
The students also brought out a procession in the area. The students have been staging demonstrations since November 18, demanding half fare in public transport for students.
They also claimed that no one has paid any heed to their demand though the students have been harassed in public buses.
Adnan, a student of Dhanmondi Ideal College, said, “They gave a 48-hour ultimatum and threatened to resume their movement on Saturday if their demands – half fare for students and safety of students, especially female ones – are not met by Friday.” Mahmudul Hasan Rafi, a student of Dhaka City College, said, “Ideal College
students were obstructed by police on Monday while inspecting whether students were allowed to pay half fare in buses. Besides, the students also face safety problem. The students of Dhaka College and City College expressed their solidarity with the students of Ideal College.”
Ikram Ali Mia, officer-in-charge of Dhanmondi Police Station, said, “Police are there to tackle any untoward incident though no unwanted incident has been reported yet.”
The students have been staging demonstrations since November 18 demanding half fares in public transport for students.
They also claimed that no one has paid any heed to their demand though the students have been harassed in public buses.
On November 20, students of two colleges vandalized 10-12 buses in Science Laboratory area demanding half fare in the city for students.
On November 18, hundreds of students of Dhaka College demonstrated outside their college to press home the same demand.
The government on November 3 raised the prices of diesel and kerosene by Tk 15 per liter and the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) increased the fares for intra-city and inter-district buses by 26.5% and 27% respectively following an indefinite strike by transport owners on November 7.
On November 20, students of two colleges vandalized 10-12 buses in Science Laboratory area demanding half fare in the city for students.
On November 18, hundreds of students of Dhaka College demonstrated outside their college to press home the same demand.
The government on November 3 raised the prices of diesel and kerosene by Tk 15 per liter and the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) increased the fares for intra-city and inter-district buses by 26.5% and 27% respectively following an indefinite strike by transport owners on November 7.
