Students boycott classes, exams protesting sexual harassment of peer

Students of Mymensingh Medical College (MMC) yesterday boycotted all classes and examinations to protest against authorities’ inaction regarding alleged sexual harassment of a female student by an outsider.

They began a sit-in in the morning and called for the resignation of the hostel super Dr Nahida Akhter. 

A miscreant, most likely a rickshaw-puller, made indecent gestures at a second year female student of the medical college on Wednesday, while she was re-turning to her hostel in the afternoon, said Md Shofiqul Islam, sub-inspector of Mymensingh Medical College Hospital police camp.

Immediately after the incident, the victim and other students notified the hostel super Dr Nahida Akhter and Principal Prof Anwar Hossain about the matter.

The hostel super failed to take appropriate actions and instead asked the students to conceal the matter, the protestors alleged.

Meanwhile, some agitating students assaulted Raja Mia, gatekeeper of the hostel for “neglecting duty”, the police official said.

Following the attack, all fourth-grade employees declared work abstention, but later they withdrew their programme after a discussion with the college authority, the police official added.

After the meeting, with assurances from the authorities, the fourth grade em-ployees and also the protesting students have revoked their demonstrations.

Two hostel guards Selim Mia and Selima Begum were suspended for negligence in duty, said the principal.

Refuting the students’ allegation, the principal said authorities have taken necessary steps to strengthen security on campus.

Police have been deployed on the campus in this regard, said Kotwali Circle ASP Md Al-Amin, adding, the culprit would be brought to book.