RU closed after attack, students told to leave

Rajshahi University was closed for an indefinite period on Sunday several hours after police and Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) activists attacked agitating students.

Rajshahi Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 2 Feb 2014, 12:53 PM
Updated : 2 Feb 2014, 06:30 PM

The students have been asked to leave campus by 8am on Monday, Pro-Vice Chancellor Sarwar Jahan Sajal told bdnews24.com.

Following the attack, the university syndicate sat in an emergency meeting at 7pm.

In a late development, the protestors have withheld their agitation programmes.

“We have withheld our programmes for the time being. The agitation to cancel the evening courses will resume soon after the university opens,” said Ayatullah Khomeni, the coordinator of protestors’ forum.

The students had been demonstrating since last Thursday demanding cancellation of hiked fees and evening classes.

"A five-member committee has been formed to look into the attacks on the students. It has also been decided that a case will be filed by the university administration," said Professor Sajal.

The agitating students came under attacks by police and BCL activists several times between morning and noon on Sunday.

The attackers were seen firing at random at the students, over 50 of whom were injured by rubber bullets and teargas canisters.

The agitators had earlier said they would carry on with their movement on Monday as well, alleging the university administration had a hand in the attacks.

One of the movement organisers, Ahasan Habib Rocky, made the announcement at a rally in front of the university's central library around 3:45pm in the presence of a few thousand students.

"It is appalling on the part of the administration to have provoked the attack. We will continue our movement unless the attackers are punished and our demands are met," he said.

The students, after the rally, returned to halls in processions.