Split students stage opposing demos next to each other
Two groups of Dhaka University (DU) students staged demonstrations just yards away from each other yesterday, one endorsing government plans to have a section of a metro rail route go through the campus and the other opposing it.
Some 300 students of the opposing group brought out a procession and staged a solidarity rally in front of Teacher-Student Centre.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. They were joined by some teachers and leaders and activists of left leaning student organisations including Bangladesh Chhatra Union, Bangladesh Chhatra Federation and Samajtantrik Chhatra Front. Moreover, fine art students painted roads and announced submitting a memorandum to the DU vice chancellor on January 28. The movement's Convener Taisha Tashrin said, "The government has to build it through Matsya Bhaban and Ramna...otherwise historical places like the Raju sculpture, DU fine arts faculty, mausoleum of the three national leaders and Dhaka Gate will lose their attraction."
The supporting group, under a banner, "Students who travel in DU's Chaitali, Boishakhi and Khonika buses", formed a human chain at the base of the Raju sculpture. A few Bangladesh Chhatra League activists were found participating. DU Khonika Bus Commuters Association President Mushfiqul Hasan said they would mostly be benefited from the government's plans.
The 20.1 kilometre Mass Rapid Transit Line-6 will run from Uttara to Motijheel while DU is to have two stations, at Shahbagh and near Doyel Chattar.
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