Highlights
- Engineering students continue their 3-point demand protest in Dhaka.
- Protesters block Shahbagh intersection for the second day.
- Students issue a 30-minute ultimatum to the government.
- Threaten to begin ‘March to Secretariat’ if demands are ignored.
- Students from across the country join the movement.
- Protest demands include BSc-only eligibility for certain posts and fair recruitment.
Students Begin Sit-In at Shahbagh
On Wednesday (27 August), students from different engineering universities gathered at Shahbagh, Dhaka, to continue their protest over three major demands. They sat at the intersection around 11:25 am, nearly one and a half hours later than their previously announced time of 10:00 am.
The protest is part of their declared ‘Long March to Dhaka’ program.
Ultimatum to Government
The protesting students gave the government a 30-minute ultimatum. They declared that if their demands were not met by 1:00 pm, they would begin a ‘March to Secretariat’.
Students from engineering universities across the country are participating. Reports confirmed that students from Rajshahi have also started for Dhaka to join the protest.
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Yesterday’s Program at Shahbagh
The protest on Tuesday lasted for nearly four and a half hours, starting from the afternoon until late evening. After blocking Shahbagh, the students withdrew the blockade. Later, at 8:30 pm, they announced fresh programs, calling upon all engineering students and professionals across the country to join today’s ‘Long March to Dhaka’.
Students’ Main Demands
The three-point demands include:
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Recruitment tests must be mandatory for all candidates to become an Assistant Engineer or equivalent (9th grade post).
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Only BSc degree holders should be eligible for the post of Assistant Engineer.
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No quota-based promotions or creation of equivalent posts under different names.
They also demanded that recruitment tests for Technical 10th grade (Sub-Assistant Engineer or equivalent posts) should be open to both diploma and BSc graduates.
In addition, the students asked for legal action against individuals using the title “Engineer” without a BSc in Engineering.
Failed Meeting with Education Adviser
Earlier on Tuesday morning, a delegation of 11 student representatives met with the government’s Education Adviser. However, the students said the meeting ended without a satisfactory outcome.
Threats Against a Fellow Engineer
Students also alleged that in Rangpur, Engineer Roknuzzaman Rokon was threatened with murder by a group of diploma engineers. Despite the threats, the administration has not taken any action yet.
Protesters’ Call for Justice
Students emphasized that their first demand is immediate arrest of the people behind these threats. Alongside, they insisted that the earlier three-point demand must also be accepted, and an official government order issued.
Source: Channel i
