SAU students block road over proposed Secretariat relocation

Students of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University (SAU) took to the streets again on Wednesday, demanding the return of an old research field to the university.

At around 11am on November 4, students brought out a protest procession from the university’s flag stand. When the procession reached the Bangladesh-China Friendship Signal in Agargaon, they staged a sit-in, bringing traffic to a halt. The protesters also announced plans to burn an effigy in front of the Public Works Department complex in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar. They vowed to continue their movement until their demands are met.

As part of the ongoing protests, students decided to boycott all examinations at a meeting between teachers and students on Tuesday. They also announced that they would not attend any classes after 11am. Later, at around 10pm, protesters from different academic years gathered at the university’s TSC premises and declared an indefinite closure of the university. In response, all academic activities at the institution have remained suspended since Wednesday.

The students began their movement on October 27, demanding that the site of the former trade fair grounds be handed over to the university for research purposes.

On that day, they seized equipment and vehicles being used for soil testing ahead of the proposed construction of a secretariat on the site and brought them to the campus.

The following day, the protesters set a deadline for stopping the ongoing fair at the grounds. Vandalism was later reported at several structures on the site. On October 29, students blocked roads and staged demonstrations.

That day, State Minister for Youth and Sports Mohammad Aminul Haque announced the suspension of all fairs at the grounds, including the National Youth Fair.

Despite the announcement, students continued their protests, objecting to the failure to remove structures from the site and the filing of a case against unidentified protesters. As part of the ongoing movement, they announced on November 2 that they would cultivate the land and take possession of it.

The students’ sustained protests over the return of the long-used research field have disrupted normal academic activities at the university. They say they will continue their movement until the land is handed over to the university and the ongoing dispute is resolved.