Thousands of private university students have taken to the streets across the capital, demanding withdrawal of 7.5% VAT on their tuition fees.
Several hundred students of different private universities had been staging mass protests against the VAT imposition. But, the agitation has intensified Thursday after Wednesday’s police attack on the demonstrating students of East West University.
Following the massive protest, the traffic of Dhaka streets have severely been affected, triggering untold sufferings to the commuters. Several hundred commuters got stranded in huge tailbacks on different roads.
The agitating students have blocked the main roads in Dhanmondi, Mohakhali, Gulshan and Rampura areas while they were reportedly been attacked by the police in some places. Here’s a recap of what we know so far about the event:
10:00pm: The students of East West University have vowed to continue their protest until the 7.5% VAT is withdrawn.
9:30pm: The students of Daffodil University have left the street around 9pm and the both sides of Mirpur road is now free for traffic.
8:55pm: The students of East West University have removed the barricade from the roads in Rampura around 8pm. However, the streets are witnessing massive traffic jam.
8:40pm: The students of Daffodil University are staging demonstration, blocking the one side of the Mirpur Road. The vehicular movement remain suspended from Dhanmondi 27 to Kalabagan. However, the other side of the road is free for traffic.
8:05pm: A group of hackers identifying themselves as Cyber 71 has hacked the official website of Dhaka University, protesting the VAT imposition.
7:58pm: The students of State University have removed the barricade from the streets of Dhanmondi 7/A. However, the traffic in the area is yet to get normal.
7:45pm: Jatiya Party Chairman Hussain Mohammad Ershad has criticised the government’s decision to impose 7.5% VAT on private university tuition fees. While addressing the biennial council of JaPa’s Chittagong city chapter, he said the day is not far off when we will assume the power again.
7:36pm: The traffic system between Mohakhali and Tejgaon (PMO) has completely collapsed and hundreds of vehicles got stranded.
7:25pm: The students of Daffodil University earlier removed the barricade from Dhanmondi streets. However, they are still staying on the streets, causing a heavy traffic jam in the area.
7:20pm: Under the impact of Rampura agitation, heavy tailback persists on Gulshan 1- Kakoli route while moderate gridlock has been seen from Kakoli to Kuril Flyover.
7:13pm: The students of East West University are still continuing their demonstration in Rampura. Seeking anonymity, a student said they will hold a meeting around 9pm and the next course of action will be fixed after that.
6:30pm: Our Chittagong correspondent reports hundreds of students, who blockaded GEC intersection around noon, have left the spot in the afternoon.
6:25pm: The students of Daffodil University burned the effigy of Finance Minister AMA Muhith outside their Dhanmondi campus in the evening, immediately after the minister announced that there is no scope of VAT withdrawal.
6:15pm: Rakib, a student of CSE Department of Daffodil University told our correspondent that the barricade on Dhanmondi 27 has been removed. But, the area is witnessing a heavy traffic.
5:35pm: In the meantime, the government will not withdraw the 7.5% VAT imposed on private universities, Finance Minister AMA Muhith said at a press briefing.
5:01pm: Hundreds of vehicles reportedly got stuck on both side of the main road in Karwan Bazar area due to the protest. However, our correspondents from different spots report that the traffic situation is getting better.
4:10pm: Vehicular movements are still clogged on Mouchak-Badda-Bashudhara Road, Dhanmondi-Mirpur Road, and Mohakhali-Natun Bazar Road in Dhaka. The students are staying on the streets to press home their demand.
3:38pm: Ramna ADC Jashim Uddin says “The students have occupied three lanes in two points of Rampura. We are trying to convince them to leave one so that we can ensure minimum traffic movement in the area. They have refused to do so and declared to continue the protest till they get an announcement regarding the matter.”
3:21pm: Police block road in Rampura bridge area to avoid untoward situations, reports our Photographer Mehedi Hasan from Rampura.
3:13pm: Roads are blocked in Shatmasjid, Dhanmondi 27, Rampura and Bashundhura areas
2:30pm: The students are still taking positions on the streets in Dhanmondi 27, Rampura, Bashundhura, Uttara, Ashulia of Savar, Shantinagar
11:30am: Several hundreds of students took to the street at Rampura bridge and halted vehicular movement on the road, according to TV reports.
The students are chanting slogans against the imposition of VAT on tuition fees.
11am: The students from North South University, University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh, United International University, Asia Pacific University and Stamford University area staging protests in different areas.
10am: Around 300 students brought out protest rallies in Dhanmondi in the morning.
Source: Dhaka Tribune
