A resident student of Rajshahi University (RU) was bitten by a common krait snake while sleeping in his hall room early on Sunday, triggering widespread protests by students and hall union leaders who locked the provost’s office and demanded the provost’s resignation.
The victim, identified as Nurnabi Islam, a student of Information Science and Library Management Department, was bitten at around 4:30am while asleep in room 138 of Shahid Shamsuzzoha Hall.
He was initially rushed to Rajshahi University Medical Centre and subsequently transferred to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH). Following the administration of antivenom, doctors placed him under observation; however, as his physical condition deteriorated, he was shifted to Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
At around 1:30pm on Sunday, aggrieved students and hall union activists staged a demonstration, locking the offices of hall provost and hall administration while demanding the provost’s immediate resignation.
The protesters then brought out a rally from hall premises to the main gate of the university’s administrative building.
They demanded prompt installation of snake nets to ensure hall safety, thorough clearing of surrounding bushes and garbage, and effective measures to prevent snake infestation.
Expressing frustration, Shahid Shamsuzzoha Hall Union Vice-President (VP) Ashikur Rahman Sohag pointed out that poor drainage in the hall causes waterlogging, enabling snakes to enter through the drains.
He added that despite various hurdles in clearing bushes and fitting snake nets, administrative procrastination in resolving these issues has fuelled anger among students.
Hall Union General Secretary (GS) Shoaeb Hossain said previous snake sightings had been reported to the hall administration without yielding any visible action, holding administrative negligence directly responsible for Sunday’s incident.
Highlighting the plight of residents, protesting student Najmul Hasan Ashik said the environment surrounding the hall is unfit for living.
He stressed that despite repeatedly alerting the hall administration and provosts, no effective steps were taken, leading to a second student falling victim to a snakebite within a single month.
Extending support to the movement, representatives of Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (RAKSU), including VP Mostakur Rahman Zahid and Assistant General Secretary (AGS) Salman Sabbir, joined the protest in solidarity.
RAKSU VP Mostakur Rahman Zahid questioned the administration’s role, saying, “If students cannot remain safe inside their rooms, we have only one question: what is the hall administration doing there? We express solidarity with all demands of the students.”
Although University Proctor Mahbubor Rahman spoke with the demonstrating students, they declared that their agitation would continue until all their demands were met.
