Eight students fall sick on 6th day

Eight students of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University (BSMRSTU) in Gopalganj fell sick yesterday, as they were taking part in a hunger strike for the sixth consecutive day, demanding that University Grants Commission (UGC) approve their department. 

Eight students -- Rashed, Pinki, Shahin, Fahmida, Jillur, Moon, Jalil and Utshaw -- were sent to Gopalganj 250-bed General Hospital, said protesters.

Among them, Shahin, Jillur, Jalil and Fahmida joined the protest again after being treated at the hospital, they added.

Fifteen students were seen continuing their hunger strike till filing of this report.

Besides, administrative activities of the university remained suspended for the second consecutive day as agitating students of history department locked the building's main gate.

Several hundred students continued their sit-in programme in front of the university administrative building yesterday for the 32nd consecutive day.

Aftabuzzaman, a third-year history student, said they do not understand why UGC still does not give approval for their department. "We will stop the movement only after getting approval," he added.

Students started demonstrating on February 6, after UGC in a meeting decided not to approve the department.

On February 18, UGC formed a seven-member committee, headed by its member Prof Dil Afroz Begum, to solve ongoing problems at the university.

Prof Md Shahjahan, acting vice chancellor of BSMRSTU, said they will announce UGC's decision on March 24.