Students takes out symbolic ‘coffin procession’ at Shahbagh

The students, now on a movement seeking safer roads, brought out a symbolic ‘coffin procession’ at Shahbagh in the capital on Sunday.

Dhaka, Dec 5 : The students, now on a movement seeking safer roads, brought out a symbolic ‘coffin procession’ at Shahbagh in the capital on Sunday, demanding justice for road accident victims.

The students brought out the procession around 1pm to press home their nine-point demand, including the issuance of a notification regarding half bus fare for students across the country.

Students from different educational institutions in the capital took part in the procession.

Earlier in the morning, the protesters started a sit-in at Shahbagh with a coffin. Another group of protesters brought out another procession from the Public Library carrying only banners.

At this time, another group of protesters joined them with coffins. Later, they took position at Shahbagh intersection. Earlier, police personnel took position in front of the National Museum.

When Ramna Zone ADC Harun Aur Rashid asked the students not to take position, they moved from Shahbagh to Dhaka University’s TSC in a procession carrying the coffin and then ended their programme.

Maudut Hawlader, officer-in-charge of Shahbagh Police Station, said the students had wanted to take positions at Shahbagh. “As this is a busy road, we discouraged them to do that there. Later, they moved towards TSC.”

On behalf of the agitating students, Inzamul Haque Ramim, a student of State University, announced that their next programme will be to light candles and organize a protest chorus at the Central Shaheed Minar at 7 pm on Monday.

He also said today's programme had been cut short due to rains.

“Many students lost their lives in road accidents and many parents lost their children. We want to move safely on our roads. We also want the authorities to implement our nine-point demand, including half bus fare across the country,” said a protester.

In the face of student protests, Dhaka Road Transport Owners Association on Tuesday announced that all students will get a 50% discount on bus fares in the Dhaka metropolitan areas from December 1.

Secretary General of Bangladesh Road Transport Owners Association Khandaker Enayetullah on Sunday announced that students in all other metropolitan cities, including Chattogram, will enjoy half fare while travelling in public transport with effect from December 11, reports UNB.