CU students lock campus gate demanding buses to travel for voting

A group of Chattogram University (CU) students today (10 February) locked the university's main gate over the authorities' denial to provide bus services for students travelling long distances to cast their votes in the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election scheduled for 12 February.

The lockdown was enforced at around 4:45pm, under the initiative of the Chattogram University Central Students' Union (Cucsu), with a large number of students joining the protest in solidarity.

Cucsu leaders announced that the main gate would remain locked until transport arrangements were ensured.

According to the leaders, they had formally applied to the university administration seeking buses for distant students and even offered to bear all related costs. However, the administration reportedly declined to allow the use of university buses.

Cucsu's Secretary for Liberation War and Democratic Movements Monayem Sharif said the vice-chancellor had clearly stated that university buses would not be made available for students.

"Due to the unavailability of buses elsewhere, we offered to rent buses at our own expense. The administration's inability and unwillingness to facilitate students is disappointing," he said, adding that the gate would remain locked until the authorities clarified their stance.

Cucsu's Secretary for Communication and Accommodation Md Ishak Bhuiyan said student leaders had contacted bus operators across Chattogram since the previous day but failed to secure any vehicles.

Cucsu Executive Member Sohanur Rahman Sohan alleged that the administration had limited its assistance to a small financial contribution for renting two train compartments, which he said was insufficient.

"When we finally told them we would arrange funds ourselves and only needed access to the buses, that too was refused," he said.

He further claimed that buses are routinely allocated for various events at the request of teachers, but student demands are not given the same importance. "Until buses are provided for students, the main gate will remain closed," he added.

Abrarul Haque, a student of the Philosophy Department, termed the authorities' decision as "anti-student", noting that smaller universities such as Comilla University and Noakhali Science and Technology University had arranged buses for their students.

"Despite repeated requests and our willingness to pay, the administration is denying support," he said.

Following the protest, CU Proctor Professor Hossain Shaid Shohrowardhy visited the spot. He said voting is a personal matter, and students should make their own arrangements to travel home.

"The university administration is currently unable to provide buses. If there were serious difficulties, the authorities should have been informed earlier," he said.