Dengue Outbreak: DU, JU students blame authorities’ nonchalance for death of peers
Dhaka University students yesterday blamed the nonchalance of the authorities concerned for the death of Firoz Kabir Shwadhin, who died of dengue on Friday.
Around 200 students formed a human chain at the base of Raju memorial sculpture where they claimed that the university administration and Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) did not let them bring Shwadhin’s body to the campus.
“Death caused by dengue is the outcome of authorities’ nonchalance in controlling mosquitoes. The administration did not take effective measures. They cannot evade their responsibility in Firoz’s death,” said Mahbubur Rahman Mahir, a final year student of the finance department.
He said BCL barred them from bringing the body to DU, and demanded that the authorities keep the university closed till declaring the campus free of dengue.
Md Sajib Hossain, assistant professor of the finance department, expressed solidarity with the students.
Contacted, DU Proctor Prof AKM Golam Rabbani said the incident was “unfortunate”. He did not directly answer when asked about the allegation brought by students.
Meanwhile, Muktijuddho Moncho, a platform for offspring of freedom fighters, yesterday burnt effigies of Health Minister Zahid Maleque, Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Mayor Atiqul Islam and Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Mayor Sayeed Khokon for their failure in controlling the dengue outbreak.
They also issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the trio -- at a programme held at the base of Raju sculpture -- to resign from their respective posts.
On Friday night, Firoz, a resident student of the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall of DU, died of dengue fever at a private hospital in the city.
PROTEST AT JU
Hundreds of Jahangirnagar University students yesterday protested against the inaction of the authorities amid the ongoing dengue outbreak.
The protest was held a day after JU student U Khein Nu of its pharmacy department, died of dengue fever.
They brought out a silent procession from the university’s Central Shaheed Minar premises around 10am and later staged a sit-in in front of the Old Administrative Building to press home their five-point demand.
Their demands include taking prompt action in controlling dengue in each hall, introducing dengue tests immediately at the university’s medical centre and compensation to the family of U Khein Nu.
Arfanul Islam, a first year student of the drama and dramatics department, said, “We don’t want to lose any of our friends like U Khein Nu. This is why we are asking the authorities to take proper steps.”
The students also said they would boycott classes and examinations if their demands are not met immediately.
Later, the agitating students postponed their movement for two days after getting assurance from Vice-Chancellor Prof Farzana Islam.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh Chhatra League yesterday submitted a memorandum to the university authorities in this regard.
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