9 CU students end 52-hour hunger strike following assurance from university administration
The hunger strike began on 10 September at 12:30pm in front of the university’s proctor office.
After 52 hours of hunger strike, nine students of Chittagong University (CU) ended their hunger strike this afternoon (12 September) following an assurance from the administration to hold discussions on their demands next Sunday (14 September).
The university's Vice-Chancellor (VC) Prof Mohammad Yahia Akhtar broke the hunger strike by offering juice to the protesters.
He was accompanied by the pro-vice chancellor (academic) and other members of the administration, who pledged to sit with the students and address their seven-point demand.
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When pressed by the students for a concrete commitment, VC Yahia said, "We will sit at the discussion table on Sunday. The issues will be discussed, and necessary measures will be taken."
Jashod Zakir, president of Biplobi Chhatro Maitry's CU unit, said, "The VC has admitted that our demands are justified and assured us that steps will be taken. He has called us for a meeting on Sunday."
He urged all student organisations to join the meeting so that the administration remains accountable to its assurance. "We must ensure that our 52 hours of struggle do not go in vain," he said.
The hunger strike, held under the banner of 'Odhikar Socheton Sikkharthibrindo', involved participants from left-leaning student groups as well as independent students.
It began on 10 September at 12:30pm in front of the university's proctor office. At least seven of the nine students reportedly fell ill during the protest.
The students' seven-point list of demands includes publishing a full list of students who were injured during the violent confrontation with the locals and arranging proper medical treatment, providing quality mobile accommodation for non-resident students, recovering the belongings of displaced students.
Others include ensuring the safety of identified students, bringing the real culprits to justice while preventing harassment of innocent locals, forming a joint committee to resolve conflicts, and publishing and implementing a safe campus roadmap.
They have also demanded that the proctorial body publicly apologise for the injuries and resign.
