(ANSA-AFP) - BELGRADE, MAR 7 - Student protesters in Serbia
called for a one-day general strike on Friday in a bid to up
pressure on the government, as demonstrations continued over a
fatal train station roof collapse. Fifteen people died in the
accident in November, which occurred shortly after the Novi Sad
station was renovated and ignited long-simmering anger over
corruption and an alleged lack of oversight of construction and
development projects. "Don't buy anything. Don't go to work.
Join us in the streets," the protesters said in a widely shared
social media post. A protester-led strike on January 24 saw
businesses shutter, cinemas close and many people refrain from
shopping. Major services continued operating though, including
power generation and public transport. Pressure has been
mounting on the government since the accident, with protests
nearly every day, and several high-ranking officials, including
the prime minister, have been forced to resign. Students have
been blockading university campuses for months and a significant
number of primary and secondary schools across Serbia have
closed. President Aleksandar Vucic and other government
officials have oscillated between positions -- sometimes meeting
some students demands and calling for dialogue, sometimes
accusing demonstrators of being backed by foreign powers.
University students have emerged as the leaders of the widening
protest movement, which has drawn thousands to demonstrations
across Serbia. (ANSA-AFP).
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