Vandalism case: JU students continue sit-in

Agitating students of Jahangirnagar University (JU) have been staging a sit-in in front of the administrative building for the second consecutive day today demanding withdrawal of a vandalism case filed against 56 students.

Yesterday, the university authorities held a meeting with a group of the demonstrators where a teachers' association proposed another meeting on August 3.

Rejecting the proposal, the students yesterday declared to continue protests.

While talking to The Daily Star today, an organiser of ‘Protibader Nam Jahangirnagar’ (Jahangirnagar epitomises protest) Muhammad Dider said, "The JU authorities assured us of withdrawing the case but they didn't keep their promise.”

"We'll continue our programmes until the case is withdrawn" he added.

Meanwhile, a section of JU employers started a demonstration at the same place as they are not allowed to enter the building following the demonstration.

The agitated students however alleged that the JU administration tried to foil the movement by instigating employees against students.

Earlier on July 17, four agitating students ended their hunger strike after the university authorities assured them of withdrawing the case by filed by Registrar Abu Bakr Siddique.

Two JU students were killed as a bus hit a human hauler carrying them on Dhaka-Aricha highway in Savar's C&B bus stand area on May 26.

Afterwards, agitating students blocked the highway demanding speed breakers there. But police fired rubber bullets and teargas canisters to disperse them. At least 10 people, including students, a JU official and two journalists, were injured.

Later, they besieged the VC's residence. During the demonstration, 42 JU students were held and later shown arrested in the vandalism case.