JU students block Dhaka-Aricha Highway demanding home adviser's resignation

Students of Jahangirnagar University staged a protest, demanding the resignation of Home Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury for his "failure" to maintain law and order, by blocking the Dhaka-Aricha Highway today (24 February).

The students marched from the university's Shahid Minar and blocked the highway from 12:05pm to 12:25pm.

During this time, the students warned of more intense actions if their demand is not met.

Arifuzzaman Ujjal, convener of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement at Jahangirnagar University, said those who are still part of the administration and are remnants of autocratic rule must be dismissed immediately, or it will be impossible to establish peace and order in the country.

He further said, "After the mass uprising, we appointed the interim government with much hope and expectations. But now, after the revolution, the lives of the people of this country are under threat.

"No one can even step out onto the streets. We want to tell the home adviser that if you cannot ensure the safety of the people, step down, and we will find an alternative," he added.

Abdur Rashid Jitu, convener of the Mass Uprising Protection Movement, said, "The deterioration of law and order across the country is alarming. I want to say to the chief adviser and the home adviser that if there is any pressure from specific political parties behind this, you should disclose it to the public."

He added, "You are our government, but if you fail to provide security and fulfil the hopes and aspirations of the people, we won't hesitate for even a moment to remove you from power, just as we did with autocrat Sheikh Hasina."