7 Barishal University students on hunger strike, VC joins in solidarity

Seven students of Barishal University began a hunger strike last night to press home a three-point demand, including infrastructural development of the campus.

They started the hunger strike around 10:30pm in front of the university's administrative building.

The two other demands are acquisition of land, and reforms in transportation facilities.

BU Vice-chancellor Prof Md Taufiq Alam said he spent the entire night with the students, expressing solidarity with their demands.

"As a guardian, I stayed by their side. I agree with their demands," he told reporters this morning.

Regarding the demand for land acquisition, he urged the students to allow some time.

The students who started the strike are Sharmila Zaman Senjuti of the English department; Amiya Mondal of Journalism and Mass Communication; Tajul Islam of Accounting and Information Systems; Md Abu Bakar Siddique of Chemistry; Piyal Hasan of Philosophy; Ahmed Riaz of Public Administration; and Shawkat Osman of Law.

Amiya said, "We have been demonstrating for a long time demanding infrastructural development, but the administration has turned a blind eye. Seeing no other way, we are on hunger strike, and we will continue until our demands are met," said.

Echoing him, Senjuti said, "Even peaceful demonstrations failed to move the authorities. That is why we have started this strike. We will not back down until the demands are realised."

Since July 29, BU students have held various programmes including rallies, human chains, and road blockade pressing for their three-point demand.