Several student organisations held demonstrations in Chittagong University (CU) on Tuesday, demanding the resignation of CU vice-chancellor and the proctorial body, along with four other key demands.
The protest, participated by the Bangladesh Ganatantrik Chhatra Jote and Bangladesh Ganatantrik Chhatra Sangsad activists, took place at 12pm at the university’s Buddhijibi Chattar.
Their demands include providing adequate medical care and security to injured students, installing barriers at Gate 1, bringing Gate 2 under CCTV surveillance, ensuring the safety of female students, and the resignation of the VC and Proctorial Body for their failure in handling the situation.
Student leaders expressed concerns over the administration’s failure to ensure security amid ongoing clashes between students and local residents. As a result, they are demanding the resignation of the CU administration.
Mohammad Yasin, senior joint secretary of the Chhatra Dal, accused the university administration of failing to bring the perpetrators of violence to justice. “So far, the administration has been unable to bring criminals under the law, or file any charges,” he said.
Alauddin Mohsin, president of the Chhatra Dal, pointed out that since July, the administration has failed to meet student demands.
“There has been no provision of accommodation, and the food supply remains unsafe. Students’ security is at risk. We are here demanding the resignation of this failed administration, and we will continue our protest until our demands are met,” he added.
Muntasir Mahmud, convener of the Bangladesh Democratic Students Council, said, “I want to tell the villagers, the ones you’re protecting – the army arrived three to four hours later when we were in the midst of the clash.
“The administration must take responsibility for the students’ injuries. They failed to arrange medical care for the injured. A few of us tried to arrange for ambulances but couldn’t manage. We stand here demanding justice for the bloodshed of our brothers.”
Earlier, on Sunday night and the following Monday, clashes between CU students and local residents left over 1,500 students injured.
Two students are currently undergoing treatment in the ICU of a private hospital in the city, while 114 injured students are being treated at Chittagong Medical College Hospital, with 111 of them being admitted.
To bring the situation under control, Section 144 was imposed, and additional law enforcement agencies, including the army, were deployed to the campus.