'False Case': 2 JU students go on hunger strike unto death

Two students of Jahangirnagar University yesterday went on a hunger strike unto death on the campus, demanding the withdrawal of the case filed against 56 university students allegedly for vandalising the vice-chancellor's residence on May 27.

Sarder Zahid, a master's student of the English department, began the strike at about 2:00pm at the Central Shaheed Minar inside the campus. Two hours later, Puja Biswash, a master's student of international relations, joined him.

Earlier on May 26, marketing student Nazmul Hasan Rana, 24, and microbiology student Arafat, 24, were killed, as a bus rammed a human haulier carrying them on the Dhaka-Aricha highway in Savar's C&B bus stand area.

Afterwards, angry students blocked the highway demanding speed breakers at the spot. But police fired rubber bullets and tear gas shells to disperse them. At least 10 people, including students, a JU official and two journalists, were injured at the time.

The protesters then besieged the VC's house to know why such an action had been carried out. During the demonstration, 42 JU students were held and shown arrested in a vandalism case filed by Registrar Abu Bakr Siddique. The next day, all of them were released on bail.

“I have joined the strike, since the university authority is yet to withdraw the case. I feel severe mental pressure and cannot continue leading a normal life,” Puja said.

“We have vowed to continue our programme on the campus until the case is withdrawn,” Zahid said.

Contacted, Pro-VC Prof Amir Hussain said he had heard about the matter. “Now, I am staying outside the campus. We will see the matter.”