Protesters on a hunger strike demanding the government issue a prompt notification extending the maximum age for applying to government jobs to 35 years have said no authorities have yet contacted them despite 15 hours passing.
Some of them were lying down or sitting under a makeshift shelter on the sidewalk near the National Museum in Shahbagh on Tuesday morning. Many protesters were also sitting under the shade at nearby tea stalls.
One of them, Rubel Rana, said they began the hunger strike at 7pm on Monday.
He added that by dawn, 10-15 participants had fallen ill, and five of the most severely affected individuals had gone home.
Rubel said they would not leave or break their strike until their demand was met. "If anything happens to us, the government will be responsible."
When asked if any state authorities had contacted them, he said no one had approached them.
“Previously, we were informed that discussions about our demand were ongoing."
He went on to say they were conducting a peaceful, non-violent movement, warning that if their demands were not met, they might be “forced to take violent action."
The protesters began their sit-in at 11am on Monday, demanding an immediate notification raising the age limit for government job applications to 35 years.
Later, at 7pm, 25 participants donned burial shrouds and began their hunger strike, continuing their protest overnight at Shahbagh.