Students block Shahbagh intersection

Students from different universities and colleges on Friday blocked the city’s key Shahbagh intersection for more than half an hour demanding raise in the current age limit for government employment to 35 from 30 years.
A group of student under the banner of ‘Sadharon Chhatra Parishad’ blocked the intersection from 4pm to 4.45pm, halting all kinds of vehicular movement in the area.
Later, police charged baton to disperse the demonstrators and their leaders Imtiaz Hossain and Nuruzzaman Chandan.
Being disperse, the protestors reassembled in front of National Museum and chanted different slogans to press for meeting their demand.
While talking to newsmen, Ramna zone additional deputy commissioner of police Ibrahim Khan claimed that there was no incident of charging baton, rather police had just requested the demonstrators to leave the place as it is one of the busiest thoroughfares of the city.
Earlier, the students formed a human-chain in front of the National Museum claiming that thousands of their fellows could not apply for government jobs due age limit.
While speaking there, demonstrators defended the movement saying that a student becomes around 28-year-old when he/she finishes university education.
‘As a result, they get only two to three years for preparing for government jobs, which is insufficient. So, the age limit should be increased,’ said a leader of the agitating students.
‘When the life expectancy people was 50 years, we had an age limit of 30. Now when the life expectancy is 75, what should be the age limit for entering government jobs?’, he argued.
Several demonstrators said they would have no choice ‘but to commit suicide’ if the age ceiling is not raised. They said session clots at government colleges and universities ate up ‘too much’ of their life.
Under the existing rules, job seekers can apply for the government jobs up to 30 years of age.