Case filed over vandalism at old fairground: 200 to 250 unnamed accused, damage claimed at Tk 30 to 35 lakh

The fair authorities have filed a case over the vandalism of structures, including the entrance gate of the Asia International Fair, held on the old research field of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University (SAU) at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the capital. Between 200 and 250 unnamed persons have been accused in the case.

The case was filed on Wednesday night (28 October). The complaint alleges that goods worth Tk 30 to 35 lakh were destroyed in the vandalism.

On Thursday (29 October), Azizur Rahman, inspector (investigation) of Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station, said a case had been filed over the vandalism and that the investigation was under way.

Behind the incident lies a movement by SAU students demanding the return of the old research field. The students began their movement on Tuesday (27 October) demanding that the field be handed back to the university.

The students claim the old trade fair ground is the university's own property. During the Ershad government era, the field was taken from the university to hold the international trade fair.

Since the international trade fair was shifted to Purbachal in 2022, the students have been demanding the field back. Teachers and students also joined protests after a recent decision to relocate the Bangladesh Secretariat there.

At one stage of the movement, on Wednesday morning (28 October), the students vandalised a gate and stalls built for the Asia International Fair. It is over that incident that the fair authorities have now filed the case.