Students from the Institute of Livestock Science and Technology (ILST) in Brahmanbaria staged a protest today by blocking a regional highway in Nasirnagar upazila for three hours. The students set fire to tires and obstructed the Sarail-Nasirnagar-Lakhai regional road in Mendiura area at around 11:00am, leading to traffic disruption and inconvenience for the public.
Hamim Islam, a student from the 5th batch, spearheaded the demonstration, highlighting their demand for revisions to the recruitment regulations of the Department of Livestock Services (DLS). He emphasized that the new DLS Recruitment Rules 2023 overlook graduates from the four-year diploma in livestock program, despite their comprehensive training and readiness for technical roles. The students expressed concern that the employment of general degree holders in technical positions would perpetuate the disadvantage faced by diploma graduates.
The students recalled receiving assurances from the Department of Livestock Services following the change in government on August 5 last year, promising exclusive reservation of sub-technical posts for diploma holders. This pledge had led to the suspension of previous protests. However, the students now accuse the department of proceeding with recruitment under the old rules, labeling it as a breach of trust.
Aditya Mallik Jadu, a student from the 4th batch, voiced frustration over the appointment of general education graduates to specialized technical roles while diploma holders are sidelined. Despite promises from the current director general of the Department of Livestock Services to address the issue, no concrete actions have been taken yet.
In response to the students’ demands, Subodh Kumar Das, the chief instructor at ILST, confirmed that discussions were held with the protesters, and their grievances were promptly communicated to higher authorities of the Department of Livestock Services. The department assured a swift resolution to the matter.
Following negotiations, the demonstrators ended the blockade around 1:45pm, marking the conclusion of the protest.