Three major university campuses outside Dhaka continue to witness intensifying unrest in recent times, seriously disrupting regular academic activities and student-union-election process.
Several incidents of clashes have taken place in the last few days, a cause for grave concern, as student elections are scheduled for this month.
The upcoming Rajshahi University Central Students' Union (RUCSU) election has become uncertain as leaders and activists of Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal's (JCD) Rajshahi University (RU) branch has been staging protest for the last few days, demanding inclusion of freshers in the RUCSU voter list. On Monday, they blocked the main gate of the administration building again to press home their demand.
JCD's RU unit President Sultan Ahmed Rahi said that all freshmen of the 2024-25 academic year should be included in the voter list, as it is their democratic right, and no one has the authority to deprive anyone of it.
Other student groups and university authorities, however, have a different view on the incorporation of the freshers.
On Sunday, a group of students led by Sultan Ahmed Rahi locked the university's election centre, halting election process. They also allegedly carried out vandalism. JCD, however, refused the allegations.
Following the incident, clashes broke out between protesting students and JCD supporters. The situation became more heated when outside JCD leaders allegedly entered the campus. Several people were injured in the chase and counter-chase.
Later, the university election commission started distributing nomination papers again after the situation calmed down. RUCSU elections are scheduled to be held on September 25.
A tense situation prevails at Chittagong University (CU) as reports of injured students are coming to light one after another following clashes between students and villagers.
"More than 300 students were injured in the attack, while no one from Jobra village was hurt, indicating a one-sided assault," Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Chattogram Farida Khanam said.
CU Pro-VC (administration) Prof Shamim Uddin said, "CU administration will cover all medical expenses for the injured. We have spoken to the local community who has assured us of full cooperation."
The campus was unusually calm and quiet, as all academic activities were suspended for a second day on Monday.
Earlier on Sunday in an emergency meeting chaired by CU VC Prof Yahiya Akter, a 21-member committee was formed to improve relations between CU and residents of the Jobra-Fatepur area.
Students started leaving the dormitories of Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) on Monday following a syndicate decision. However, a portion of protesting students rebuffed the decision and determined to stay on the campus.
Earlier, following assaults on protesting students by some alleged outsiders, students announced a six-point demand, including an apology from Vice-Chancellor Fazlul Haque Bhuiyan.
On Sunday night, some 10 people, including journalists and students, were injured in an alleged attack by outsiders while a group of protesting students confined 227 teaching and administrative staff to a university building for incorporating a combined degree.
The VC, however, claimed that students were protesting despite their demands being met. "We've sincerely accepted all the demands from the students. My question is why they blocked the teachers even after accepting 100 per cent of their demands," he said on Monday. Regarding the demand for an apology, he said, "Why should I apologize? I've not done anything wrong."
According to a statement signed by Registrar (Acting) Md. Helal Uddin, the university authorities are shocked to learn that several students were injured, while the authorities will form an investigation committee soon.
Students of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Faculties have been protesting for a month, demanding a combined degree. In response to the students' demands, the authorities held an academic council on Sunday. The students, however, were not satisfied with the academic council decision.
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