Polytechnic students give 48-hour ultimatum

Students from polytechnic institutes across the country have given the government a 48-hour deadline to meet their six-point demand.

If no decision is made within this time, they have warned of launching a “Long March to Dhaka” programme.

The announcement was made by protesting students during a grand rally held on Sunday (April 20) in front of the Dhaka Mohila Polytechnic Institute at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in Dhaka.

The students said they have been protesting for a long time for a total of six demands, including the cancellation of the High Court's verdict on the promotion of craft instructors to the post of junior instructors, change of designation and permanent dismissal of all those involved in the case. However, they are angry that no effective action has been taken by the government.

Students from various polytechnic institutes started gathering since morning for the grand rally. Holding placards and banners in their hands, they chanted slogans to press their demands. They gathered in small processions in front of the Mohila Polytechnic Institute in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar.

Speakers at the rally said our movement is justified. We do not wish to cause public suffering by taking to the streets. But despite protesting for the past eight months, the government continues to ignore us. We have been compelled to take to the streets.

They further stated that no more deadlines will be given. If the government fails to meet their demands promptly, the movement will intensify, and the government will have to bear full responsibility for the consequences.

The students also strongly condemned the recent attack on polytechnic students in Cumilla.