Nahid wants JnU dorms cleared

FE Team | Published: February 25, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00

The Education Minister wants Jagannath University (JnU) dormitories cleared of 'illegal occupants', reports bdnews24.com.
Much of the buildings is currently held by MPs, police and influential Awami League leaders. In the backdrop of the movement of the university's students for the recovery of the dormitories, Nurul Islam Nahid told reporters on Monday that JnU had many plots and establishments but lost their possession.
"We want the university's land returned. I am urging (those who currently have possession) to return the occupied dormitories," he said.
The minister also said legal steps would be taken to recover those dormitories.
Students of the university have been agitating since early February for the 'recovery' of Tibet Hall, which, they allege, has been occupied by Dhaka-7 independent MP Haji Selim since 2000.
Police came down hard on the students on Sunday when they held a demonstration in front of that dormitory in Old Dhaka's Islampur area.
A teacher and over a hundred students were injured when police fired rubber bullets and lobbed teargas shells.
Following the police action, JnU Teachers Association also joined the students' movement.
Several hundred university teachers and staff also formed a human-chain in front of the National Press Club on Monday afternoon to protest the police action. Nearly 1,000 students also blocked the street.
Regarding the agitation, the Education Minister said he had talked to JnU Vice-Chancellor Mizanur Rahman, who said the situation was within limits.
Nurul Islam Nahid said, "Steps will be taken to set up dormitories around Dhaka if necessary. We are looking for land for this."
He also urged the students to maintain the university's natural environment.