Case filed over vandalism at Asia International Fair
Some students of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University allegedly vandalise gate and some stalls at the Asia International Fair.
Authorities have filed a case against unidentified persons over vandalisibg the gate and several stalls of the old trade fair in the capital. The case alleges that goods worth Tk 30 lakh to Tk 35 lakh were damaged.
On Wednesday morning, some students of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University (SAU) allegedly went there with a procession demanding the recovery of the field. At one stage, they vandalized a gate and stalls built for the Asia International Fair.
Recently, an announcement was made to relocate the Bangladesh Secretariat to the old trade fair ground in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar. The vandalism occurred amid an ongoing movement over this.
Eyewitnesses said that on Wednesday morning, students gathered in front of the university's flag stand. Later, they visited the old trade fair ground with a procession and chanted various slogans. At one stage, the fair's gate and stalls at the field were vandalized.
The students said they had told the authorities on Tuesday to relocate the fair and had also set a deadline for it. But as no progress was seen within the stipulated time, they went to the field and protested. They said they will continue the movement until the field is returned.
Yusuf Sardar, involved in building stalls for the youth fair, said they are erecting stalls with the government's permission. If there is any objection regarding the fairground, the government will take in its cognizance. But why were the stalls vandalized—he raised that question. Yusuf alleged that after the vandalism, the students also took away the equipment used for building the stalls.
Earlier on Wednesday, soil testing work was underway at the field for constructing the new Secretariat. Around noon, SAU students went there with a protest procession. Later, they took soil-testing equipment and two vehicles to the campus.
On Thursday evening, Monirul Islam, officer-in-charge (OC) of Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station, said that the fair authorities have filed a case over the vandalism. The case is under investigation. Action will be taken against those involved as soon as possible.
