RU reopens after 35 days

Academic activities at Rajshahi University (RU) resumed on Monday, after an unscheduled closure of over a month due to campus violence. The resident students started returning to their respective dormitories on Sunday when the halls were reopened. Meanwhile, the agitating students have vowed to continue their movement to realise their demands although the authorities imposed a ban on all kinds of processions and rallies on the campus until further announcement. The striking students wore black badges on their arms on Monday. They will also place wreaths at the grave of Shaheed Dr Shamsuzzoha on the campus. On February 2, authorities closed the Rajshahi University for an indefinite period after over 100 students were injured, including 30 with bullets, in attacks by police and Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) men on the campus. On the day, police and the BCL men swung into action while the general students were agitating on the campus in protest against fee hike and continuation of evening Master’s programmes. Police fired rubber bullets and lobbed teargas canisters on the demonstrators as they refused to disperse. Besides, the RU BCL men allegedly joined the cops during the attacks on the students. Later, the decision to reopen the university was taken at a meeting of the RU Syndicate held on March 3.