By IANS
Dhaka : Authorities in Bangladesh imposed an indefinite curfew in all major towns as student violence gripped universities and educational institutions across the country for the third day Wednesday.
What began as a fracas between students and soldiers at a football match in Dhaka on Monday acquired political overtones with students and teachers marching in processions, demanding lifting of the national emergency in force since January 12.
A rickshaw-puller was killed and 50 persons were injured at Rajshahi University, while police fired on unruly students at Dhaka University.
Students at Dhaka University continued to burn vehicles and stayed away from classes.
The agitation has taken an anti-army turn in that the principal demand of the agitating students is that a temporary camp set up by the army to oversee law and order on the campus be removed.
Students in Dhaka had burnt an effigy of the army chief, Gen. Moin U. Ahmed, on Tuesday.
The government has regretted the thrashing of Dhaka University students, ordered a judicial inquiry and asked the army to remove its camp from the campus.
This is the first major mass agitation in Bangladesh after elections were called off amidst political turmoil in January and an interim government headed by Chief Advisor Fakhruddin Ahmed imposed a national emergency.
The protests and violence have continued despite a total ban on political activity.
In a statement Wednesday, the government alleged that “non-students” were participating in the protest.
Media reports and editorials, however, emphasized that the protests have been spontaneous and no political party was involved.
“If this unlawful act continues, the government will be compelled to take stern action against the perpetrators to bring normalcy back and protect the lives and property of the citizens,” the government statement said.
It pointed out that the army camp at the Dhaka University campus has already been withdrawn and an inquiry committee headed by a retired high court judge had been formed to investigate into Monday’s incidents.
Further action would be taken on the basis of committee’s report, the statement added.
Despite these measures, the statement said, some people were still engaging in violence by damaging public and private property in Dhaka and other parts of the country.
“It has been observed that non-students are taking part in these rowdy and anarchic acts. These cannot be allowed to continue,” the statement cautioned.