Several thousand students of the Uttara University formed a human chain on Monday, protesting against the encroachment of the Turag River, dust pollution near the university and metro rail area, the narrowness of the Beribadh road, and unplanned sand extraction on the bank of the river in Dhaka.聽
The students organised the protest with the slogan titled Breathe Easy, Live Better: Awareness against Dust Pollution, said a press release.
Students said that unplanned sand extraction near the campus puts them at health risk.
Both students and teachers are experiencing respiratory problems and other health hazards. Sand extractors have been illegally operating along the Turag River for years and despite many complaints, no action has been taken, added the press release.
Uttara University vice-chancellor Professor Eaysmin Ara Lekha, pro-VC Gour Gobinda Goswami, deans of different faculties, department chairmen, and faculty members, among others, attended the event.
Supported by Uttara University FDT Alumni Association, Social Service Club and Environment Club, the students also took part in a cleanliness drive around the university campus.
