Cell given until April 30 to submit probe report

Teachers and students of Jahangirnagar University (JU) demanded lifetime expulsion of the accused students who sexually harassed an indigenous female student on the Pahela Baishakh night.

The demand came from a press conference organised by "Shikshak-Shiksharthi Oikya Mancha" at the social science teachers' lounge at around 3:00 pm on Sunday.

The platform also threatened to besiege the administration building if the anti-sexual harassment cell does not submit their report to the disciplinary committee within April 30.

They announced five-point demands including resignation of the proctor, lifetime expulsion of culprits and ensuring security of all students on the campus.

Speaking at the press conference, associate professor of Philosophy Department Raihan Rayne, also the spokesperson of the platform, claimed that the anti-harassment cell tried to delay the process of investigation as most of the accused were leaders and activists of ruling party AL's student body, Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL). On April 16, an indigenous female student of JU had filed a complaint with university administration alleging that five students, leaders and activists of BCL's JU unit, sexually harassed her and beat up her friend.

    sumon.jms@gmail.com