Dhaka:Students of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University vandalized structures at the Asia International Trade Fair on the university's research field on Monday, demanding the return of the land for academic and research purposes.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the protest follows the Cabinet's October 18 approval of a proposal to relocate the Bangladesh Secretariat to Sher-e-Bangla Nagar by 2029. Over 150 students entered the fairground around 115 pm, damaging several installations, using tractors and bamboo poles to pull down the main entrance gate.
The students expressed their desire to reclaim the research field to resume academic activities. Police stationed nearby did not intervene, with Officer-in-Charge Monirul Islam hoping for a peaceful resolution.
Rupa Akter, a second-year Agriculture student, noted that previous memorandums to various governments had yielded no response. Concerns were also raised about the environmental impact of construction on the land, with Arafat, a fifth-year student, emphasizing the need to assess its carbon absorption capacity.
The students mentioned ongoing efforts by university teachers to resolve the ownership issue and the Agriculture Minister's support for their cause. They aim to restore the land for research by improving its fertility and planting trees.