-- 30 students injured in attacks

-- University declared early puja vacation starting tomorrow

-- Students asked to vacate hall by 10am today

-- But demonstrating students have refused to leave dormitories

-- Students barred from joining demonstration programme

-- Md Humayun Kabir resigns, express solidarity with students

-- District BCL protests attack on students

An Assistant Proctor of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University (BSMRSTU) resigned this afternoon protesting the attacks on students allegedly by the supporters of the vice chancellor outside the campus which left at least 30 injured.

Assistant Proctor Md Humayun Kabir, a teacher of sociology department, submitted his resignation letter to the proctor in the afternoon.

A student, who was injured during attack, is being taken to hospital. Photo: Collected

Contacted, Humayun Kabir said he resigned from his post protesting the attack on the students and expressing solidarity with the students’ ongoing movement.

“I cannot hold this position anymore ethically after the attack on my students”, he told The Daily Star.

At least 30 students including three campus journalists were injured during the attacks that took place in front of Gobra Mosque, Balurmath area, Sobhan Road and Sonakur area in the town.

Students protest after authorities suddenly declare Durga Puja holidays at BSMRSTU on September 21, 2019. Photo: Collected

However, police said the students locked into a scuffle with the locals in front of Gobra mosque but they managed to disperse the demonstrators.

“Some police personnel were injured when students threw brick chips targeting us during the incident,” Monirul Islam, officer-in-charge of Gopalganj Sadar Police Station told The Daily Star.

Asked, the OC said he knew nothing about the other attacks.

Students barred from joining programme

The students claimed that the authorities in association with the local administration tried to bar them from joining the protest programme on the campus by imposing restriction on public transports on the streets.

“We could not find any public transport on the streets and saw local people wielding sticks taking position at different points,” said a protester.

At least 30 students including three campus journalists have been injured during attacks that took place in front of Gobra Mosque, Balurmath area, Sobhan Road and Sonakur area in Gopalganj. Photo: Collected

They also threatened us not to go to the campus, he said.

Those who moved forward ignoring their threats came under the attacks, he added.

Gopalganj BCL unit pledges support to BSMRSTU students

Bangladesh Chhatra League of Gopalganj district unit today protested the attack on general students and said they demand quick punishment of the perpetrators.

The district BCL issued a letter in this regard in the afternoon.

They will also extend their support to ensure all logical demands of the students are met.

BSMRSTU declares early puja vacation

Earlier in the day, the authorities issued a notice, declaring a 15-day holiday starting from tomorrow on the occasion of Durga Puja amid the ongoing protests.

The BSMRSTU authorities also issued a notice asking resident students to vacate all six dormitories by 10:00am today.

The students however refused to vacate the halls, and said they cannot leave the campus right now due to the ongoing protest against the VC. 

Criticising the move, Shums Jabin, a third-year student of law department, said the decision was made in an attempt to thwart their protest and they vowed to continue their demonstration until the VC steps down from his post.

The university was supposed to go on a five-day vacation on the occasion of puja from October 4, the students claimed.

Contacted, VC Prof Khondoker Nasiruddin told The Daily Star that the measure was taken due to an “emergency situation”, to avert any unwanted incident and to ensure fair atmosphere for education.

Huge number of law enforcers have been deployed outside the campus.

Last reported, students continued their protest for the fourth consecutive day on the campus today, demanding VC’s resignation.

Students continue observing fast until death

A section of the protesters are continuing their fast until death which they started on September 19 at the university’s administrative building to press home their demand.

The protesters brought 20 allegations against the VC -- including sexual harassment, nepotism in recruiting teachers and other employees, and corruption in development projects like Shaheed Minar and Bangabandhu’s mural.

The demonstrators alleged that the university authorities suspended students and served show-cause notice to those teachers whose speeches or statements go against them.

Fatema Tuz Zinia, a second-year student of law department and a campus reporter of The Daily Sun, was a victim of suspension for a Facebook post.

Amid countrywide protests, university authorities withdrew the suspension order on September 18.