JnU protesters to press on with Kakrail sit-in

Jagannath University students last night declared they would not leave the streets until their three-point demand is met, after police action and Information Adviser Mahfuj Alam's attempt to move them through talks failed.

Several hundred students and some teachers, including the vice-chancellor and pro-vice chancellor, continued their sit-in in Dhaka's Kakrail intersection near Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus' official residence Jamuna till the filing of this report at 1:00am.

The protesters said they would not withdraw their demonstration without getting assurances from Prof Yunus, who returned home around 8:00pm after his visit to Chattogram.   

The students' demands include increased budget allocation for the university, introduction of a housing allowance, and improvement of academic facilities.

JnU Chhatra Dal's Member Secretary Shamsul Arefin, at a media briefing on behalf of the protesters around 12:00am, said, "After discussion with the students, we have decided that we will not leave this place under any circumstances.

"If any untoward incident occurs, the advisers and the government must take full responsibility."

He condemned the police action against the protesters in the afternoon, warning of tougher protests.

Information Adviser Mahfuj Alam arrived at the protest site around 10:10pm.

Referring to police action to disperse the protesters earlier in the day, Mahfuj said the government instructed the law enforcement agencies to first attempt to talk to protesters instead of using force when teachers and students demonstrate.

"The government is willing to listen to any movement, to sit down, and to talk. Dr Muhammad Yunus is aware of the crisis at Jagannath University," he added.

As he was speaking, the atmosphere turned hostile with a section of students chanting "Bhua, Bhua" (fake, fake). Amid the commotion, a water bottle hurled from the left side of the crowd struck the adviser in the head. Following the incident, Mahfuj left the scene without making any further comment.

JnU Chhatra Dal's Arefin regretted the "unexpected" incident, but added, "Had our demands been met, we wouldn't have come here, and this incident wouldn't have taken place."

Mahfuj, in a Facebook post around 12:30am, said the JnU protesters' demands were submitted to the government and the Dhaka Metropolitan Police commissioner was asked not to attack them or take any forceful measure to disperse them.

The JnU authorities, in a late-night notice, postponed all examinations that were scheduled to be held today.

Earlier in the afternoon, police baton-charged and fired tear gas shells at JnU students when the protesters under the banner "JnU Oikya" tried to break police barricades during their "Long March to Jamuna" from the university's Shaheed Minar.

At least 50 people were injured as police intercepted the procession near Kakrail intersection and dispersed the protesters around 12:30pm.

At least 38 protesters were taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital with injuries or after falling ill from tear gas inhalation, according to hospital sources.

Those injured include Prof Dr Md Rois Uddin, general secretary of Jagannath University Teachers' Association, and Nasir Uddin Ahmed, an English department teacher.

After the police assault, the protesters staged a sit-in in front of the Kakrail mosque, blocking the adjacent intersection. Vice-Chancellor Prof Rezaul Karim and other teachers joined the protest around 3:00pm.

Speaking to journalists, Prof Rois Uddin said, "We will stay here until there is justice for the police attack on students and our demands are fulfilled."

JnU Proctor Prof Dr Tajammul Haque said, "The authorities responded inhumanely to a legitimate student movement."

The students have been protesting for several days for the introduction housing allowance for 70 percent of students from the 2025–26 fiscal year until proper residential facilities are ensured. They also want approval of JnU's proposed budget for FY26 without cuts. Their third demand is that a second campus be constructed after approval in the next ECNEC meeting on a priority basis.

Contacted, citing a recent notice, Ramna Zone Deputy Police Commissioner Masud Alam said they could not allow the procession towards the CA's residence.

On May 10, Dhaka Metropolitan Police imposed bans on public gatherings near the Secretariat, Jamuna, and surrounding areas to maintain public order and ensure the safety of the chief adviser. However, the ban on protest excluded Shahbagh.

Previously, on March 13 this year, and on August 25 and 29 last year, similar restrictions were imposed around the Secretariat and the chief adviser's residence.

Despite these bans, multiple gatherings have taken place in these areas, including the recent protests for a ban on the Awami League. 

Many took to social media yesterday to decry what they called a "double standard" by authorities.

National Citizen Party leaders Hasnat Abdullah, Sarjis Alam and many others came here "just days ago and were welcomed with food and water," said a JnU protester.

"But we came with legitimate demands and were met with batons, tear gas, and sound grenades—even our teachers were not spared," the protester added.

NURSING STUDENTS BLOCK ROAD

Meanwhile, hundreds of nursing students blocked the Shahbagh intersection to press their demand that all levels of the diplomas in nursing and midwifery courses be recognised as equivalent to a bachelor's degree.

The nursing students' protests, coupled with the JnU students' demonstration, caused severe traffic congestion.

Witnesses said the nursing students had initially gathered at the Central Shaheed Minar, giving the government a one-hour ultimatum. As no assurance was given within that time, they occupied the intersection around 1:30pm, blocking traffic.

Around 8:00pm, law enforcers removed the nursing students from the Shahbagh intersection, allowing vehicular movement to resume after six hours.

The protesters later gathered in front of the National Museum.

Around 8:45pm, law enforcers dispersed them again and forced them to march towards the Shaheed Minar area.