Bangladesh Agricultural University shut indefinitely, students told to vacate halls by Monday

Veterinary and animal husbandry faculty students have continuously pressed for a “combined degree”

Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) has been declared closed indefinitely following an attack by alleged outsiders to free the vice-chancellor and around 200 teachers and officials who had been confined by protesting students.

Students have been ordered to vacate their residential halls by 9am Monday, said Proctor Professor Abdul Alim.

He added that the emergency syndicate meeting, held online at 9:30pm Sunday, decided to shut the university “until further notice".

For nearly a month, students of the Veterinary and Animal Husbandry faculties have been agitating for a “combined degree".

Despite a referendum among students, the university authorities have yet to take a final decision.

On Sunday afternoon, when the Academic Council meeting failed to resolve the issue, students locked up the vice-chancellor and others inside Zainul Abedin auditorium from 1pm.

Senior district administration officials, including the deputy commissioner and the superintendent of police, rushed to the campus but could not persuade the protesters.

Around 7:30pm, 250-300 outsiders armed with sticks reportedly charged the students near the VC’s residence, forcing them to scatter.

The attackers then broke the lock and freed the teachers. At least 10 people, including students and journalists, were injured in the incident.

Kotwali Police chief Shibirul Islam confirmed the unrest, saying: “Students had confined teachers from noon. Later some people drove the students away and freed the teachers. Tension is running high, and we are working to restore order.”

Injured journalist Anisur Rahman Faruk of the local daily Brahmaputra Express said he was assaulted while standing near the scene. Another reporter, Salman Sadiq Shawon, said he was beaten with sticks.

Professor Aminul Islam of the Veterinary Faculty said most teachers support the "combined degree", but a few dissenting voices had created the deadlock.

“Breaking the lock is no solution; we need a proper settlement,” he said.

Police and district officials, including the DC and SP, rushed to the campus earlier in the day but failed to resolve the standoff.

Tension remained high on campus late into the night.