Viqarunnisa students block street in Dhaka

The second-year science students of Viqarunnisa Noon School & College have hit the streets protesting against the college's decision to force them to attend classes in the day shift after the Eid. Protests erupted around Wednesday noon after the college authorities informed them of the decision. The demonstrators blocked the road in front of the college gate at Baily Road for several hours. Day shift classes will start at 10am and end after 5pm. The idea did not sit well with the students with many citing safety concerns and arguing that the timing will hamper their studies. A Viqarunnisa teacher, who wished to remain anonymous, said the decision to introduce day shift was taken last year but students who had enrolled then were not informed. Protesters also alleged harassment by on-duty policemen but Ramna zone Assistant Commissioner Shibli Noman rejected the claim. The demonstrators argued that many of them lived in the far corners of the city and that it would be night time when they reach home, if they attended day shift classes. “You couldn't protect Tonu inside the cantonment, how will you ensure our safety,” a poster held by one of the protesters read.