BCL men assault protesters blocking Registrar Building
Academic and administrative activities virtually came to a standstill at Dhaka University for the third day yesterday, following students’ demonstrations demanding cancellation of affiliation of seven colleges under the university.
Students have been demonstrating for the last five days; they boycotted classes and examinations for the third consecutive day yesterday by locking entrances of all academic and administrative buildings. Faculty members and staff could not attend work as demonstrating students jammed the keyholes of the locks with glue.
Some Chhatra League leaders yesterday broke the lock on Registrar Building’s main gate prior to submitting a memorandum to the pro vice-chancellor, seeking a solution to the ongoing crisis.
They also assaulted Ducsu Social Service Affairs Secretary Akhtar Hossain and some female protestors as they obstructed the BCL men from breaking the lock.
Witnesses said students demanding cancellation of the affiliation of seven colleges gathered at the Shikha Chirantan premises to press home their demand. At 1pm, the agitators halted the demo but declared the protests would continue.
At the same time, Chhatra League held a rally at the base of Aparajeyo Bangla, demanding a permanent solution to the crisis and keeping the environment on campus stable.
After the rally, they went to the Pro VC to submit a memorandum. The BCL activists tried to break the lock at the main gate of the Vice-Chancellor’s office but the protestors, who had already taken position in the area, barred them.
Ducsu Social Service Affairs Secretary Akhtar got into an altercation with BCL leaders. At one point, the BCL activists pushed the students along with him to break the lock and assaulted them.
BCL leaders submitted the memorandum to Pro Vice-Chancellor Prof Muhammad Samad, as the VC was not in the country. During the meeting, they demanded action against Ducsu VP Noor and Social Services Secretary Akhtar.
The memorandum, signed by the president and general secretary of BCL, said the student body is urging the vice-chancellor to provide a proper solution to end the ongoing crisis and create atmosphere conducive to education.
Regarding the memorandum, Pro VC Prof Muhammad Samad said they are not sitting idle, and will take measures after discussing with the vice-chancellor.
Meanwhile, the BCL activists warned that they would give a befitting reply if anyone tries to obstruct classes and exams.
Despite the announcement from BCL, protestors said that they will continue their demo.
Shakil Mia, a spokesperson for the movement, told The Daily Star that general students took part in the demo spontaneously. Unless their demand is met, the non-cooperation movement will continue through boycotting class and examination.
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