It has become a routine affair-students and riot police scuffling on the streets of the Valley. But in the general chaos, we detected a change: for the better. After hours of stone throwing and latthi charges, at the end of the day the two sides shake hands and adjourn proceedings till the following day of the ongoing agitation of the five political parties. It's an interesting phenomenon. "Why not?" says a protester, when we asked him about these amicable partings. "We have to fight against each tomorrow too." Turning to a group of riot policemen he jokes, "You'd better eat well tonight." A policeman, equally in jest, says, "You may want to return that baton you snatched from us earlier." Another protestor joins the conversation and wishes the police, "A happy new year and may you not lose the will to suppress our movement!" Quick as a flash, an officer replies: "The same good wishes to you too. May you rid yourself of the habit of pelting stones and bricks, and learn how to protest peacefully." By the time the exchange was over, the two sides had reached a satisfactory compromise: the protesters would not chant slogans and hurl stones and the police would not make any arrests. Female agitators of Padma Kanya Campus took the lead and laid down their ammo of bricks and stones. The police then retrieved the batons that were snatched from them. That was Bagbazar and Putalisadak on new year's eve.