Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University Students Vandalise Fair Gate After Ultimatum Expires

Students of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka, protested on Wednesday to recover the university's old research field after the Asia International Trade Fair was not closed within the set time.

On Wednesday (28 October) the students went to the old trade fair ground and vandalised the fair's entrance gate and various other structures.

The students gathered in front of the university's flag stand on Wednesday. They then marched to the old trade fair ground and took position there, chanting slogans demanding the return of the field. At one stage, the agitated students vandalised the entrance gate and other structures of the fair.

A protesting student said they had told the fair authorities the previous day to remove the fair and had set a deadline for it, but had seen no progress within that time. The student said the movement would continue until the field is returned.

Fair organiser Md Jahangir Islam said they were now instructing that the gate be removed. He said they are not outsiders to this university and that they will remove it.

Teachers and students had earlier protested a decision to set up a secretariat on the university's old research field, demanding its recovery. Their demand is that the field be returned for the university's research work and that holding fairs there be stopped.