Students of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University (SAU) on Monday used an excavator to demolish the entrance gate and several structures built for the Asia International Fair at the old Trade Fair ground in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka, after announcing their move over a loudspeaker.
The demolition took place on the second day of their ongoing protest against the government's decision to relocate the secretariat to the former trade fair ground. The students are demanding that the land be returned to their university.
According to witnesses, the students mounted a loudspeaker on a university vehicle around 11am and announced that they would demolish the structures at the old Trade Fair ground. They later arrived at the site in university vehicles, brought in an excavator and began demolishing the entrance gate.
The demolition was still underway at the time of filing this report around 1:30pm.
Faruk, a protesting student, said they would continue their efforts to reclaim the university's campus and land.
“We will make every possible effort to reclaim our campus and its land. Even if this causes some temporary inconvenience, we are collectively willing to accept it in the greater interest of the university,” he said.
Officer-in-Charge of Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station Md Monirul Islam Monir said police were trying to persuade the students to refrain from destructive activities.
“We are trying to explain the situation to the students. We have also informed the university vice-chancellor and urged them not to let the situation escalate into a major confrontation,” he said.
He added that police personnel were deployed at the site and had been instructed to remain alert to prevent any untoward incidents.
On October 18, a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman approved a proposal to relocate the secretariat to the old trade fair ground.
Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Ghani announced the decision at a press briefing later that evening. The government has set a target of beginning operations at the new location in 2029.