March towards EC: Cops stop DU protesters at Shahbagh

A group of Dhaka University students are continuing their demonstration for the second day today demanding deferment of Dhaka north and south city corporation elections scheduled for January 30 as it coincides with Saraswati Puja. Holding placards, they gathered in front of the Raju Sculpture on the DU campus in the morning and were seen giving slogans. Later, the protesting students began a march towards the Election Commission office in Agargaon before they were stopped by police at Shahbagh. The students then blocked Shahbagh intersection and are continuing their demonstration to press home their demand for deferment of the upcoming Dhaka city corporation elections to a different date instead of January 30. Yesterday, the students also gave an 18-hour ultimatum to the authorities concerned and threatened to besiege the Election Office in Agargaon today if their demand is not met within the deadline. The protests came after the High Court yesterday rejected a writ petition filed for shifting the date of two Dhaka city elections -- as the Saraswati Puja coincides with the voting day. On December 22, the Election Commission announced that the elections of Dhaka South City Corporation and Dhaka North City will be held on January 30. The education ministry on December 2 last year fixed January 29 as a public holiday for Saraswati Puja.