Students of United International University (UIU) blocked a road in Natun Bazar area of Bhatara in the capital on Saturday morning, protesting the expulsion of some students and demanding administrative action against the ‘arbitrary’ authorities.
Students barricaded the road from Kuril Bishwa road to Badda at around 8am, suspending the vehicular movement on one side of the road. But traffic on the other side—from Badda to Kuril Bishwa Road—remains unaffected. The agitated students alleged that the students were expelled without any prior discussion or explanation. They will continue the protest until a full investigation is carried out and administrative action is taken against those responsible.
They alleged that the students were expelled due to their participation in the movement seeking vice-chancellor’s resignation and resuming normal academic activities resolving the administrative crisis. Md Rakibul Hasan, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Bhatara Police Station, said that said some UIU students occupied the road after 8am, demanding the withdrawal of the expulsion orders and taking administrative action against the arbitrary authorities.
Quoting sources, the OC said that the university expelled the students after they received low marks in their final honours examinations which raised concerns that they might not be able to pass in future attempts. Meanwhile, UIU sources and students said the university’s VC and 11 administrative officials stepped down on April 26 and 27 over student unrest. In addition, on April 28, the authorities suspended all academic activities of the university for an indefinite period.
The online classes resumed from May 20, and a section of the students rejected this and have been demanding real-time direct classes on the campus. Students also alleged that the university administration have been denying their rational 13-point demand and on June 2 they expelled the students.