SPLIT POLYTECHNIC STUDENTS HOLD PROTEST RALLY

SPLIT, Oct 30 (Hina) - Several hundred students and citizens gathered in downtown Split on Thursday for a protest rally, demanding that the government withdraw its decree incorporating Split Polytechnic into Split University. #L# The rally was organised by the Polytechnic's striking committee, which called on citizens to join the protest. The head of the Croatian Students Corps, Petar Bezjak, said the decision against the Polytechnic proved that the incumbent government was only capable of "applying repressive measures against people, who cannot wait to see it leave the political scene, as it has done nothing but damage". The politicians attending the rally included Split County deputy prefect Tadija Barun, the leader of the Croatian Pure Party of Rights (HCSP), Luka Podrug, a member of the Split branch of the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), Dujomir Marasovic, and Croatian Bloc (HB) MP Ivica Tafra. The rally ended at 5.30 pm. (hina) rml sb