CU Fine Arts Institute: Students asked to leave campus amid protest

Chittagong University authorities have asked the students of the Institute of Fine Arts, who had begun a sit-in last year, to leave the campus residence by 10:00pm yesterday, citing "renovation work".

The decision was taken following an emergency syndicate meeting last evening, reports our correspondent quoting CU Proctor Rabiul Hasan Bhuiyan.

Speaking to The Daily Star, Rabiul said, "After the meeting, the students were ordered to leave the campus by 10:00pm. All physical classes and examinations of the fine arts institute will be suspended for the next one month for some renovation work."

He, however, said the teachers have been asked to conduct online classes.

Earlier on the day, the university's proctorial body along with police conducted a two-hour raid on the campus. They searched every room of the institution's Shilpi Rashid Chowdhury dormitory and the teachers' club.

Asked about the sudden decision of vacating the hall amid the ongoing student demonstration, the proctor said, "Only the members of the syndicate can explain it."

The students started a sit-in programme on November 2 last year to press home their 22-point demand, including shifting the campus to Hathazari main campus.

On November 16, the protesting students locked the institutes main gate and boycotted classes and exams as the administration did not comply with their demand.

The institute's academic activities were suspended from then till January this year.

The CU administration held several discussions, while Education Minister Dipu Moni met with the protesting students. However, none of it brought forth any solution.

The students returned to classes on January 23 on some conditions. They, however, started demonstrating again from last Tuesday.