Student groups demand resignation of Chittagong University administration

Chittagong University (CU) units of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) and the Democratic Students' Alliance today (2 September) held separate programmes demanding the resignation of the vice-chancellor and the CU administration. 

JCD president Alauddin Mohsin said, "Since July, the administration has failed to meet students' expectations. They have not ensured accommodation, food safety is absent, and students' security is under serious threat. 

"We are here demanding the resignation of this failed administration. We will continue our movement until they step down."

While speaking at the protest programme in the university's Intellectual Square at around 12 pm, Mohammad Yasin, senior joint general secretary of CU JCD, added, "The university administration has so far failed to bring the terrorists under the law. We demand the resignation of such an administration."

Meanwhile, at 11am, the Democratic Students' Alliance held a press conference at the Arts and Humanities Faculty, where organiser Dhruba Barua said, "The blame for the clashes is being shifted onto the students, while it was the administration that failed to ensure security. Therefore, there is no alternative to the resignation of the vice-chancellor and the proctor."

The alliance also placed its six-point demand – ensure proper treatment for the injured students at the administration's expense, take effective legal action and fast-track trial against the local goons ofJobra village, increase the number of e-cars on campus and introduce circular buses up to Gates 1 and 2, prepare a roadmap for 100% student accommodation and introduce housing allowances, ensure strong security at Gates 1 and 2 and Rail Crossings 1 and 2, and resignation of the vice-chancellor and chief proctor for failing to ensure students' security.

The university authority already promised free treatment of the injured on Monday. 

Meanwhile, a notice signed by CU Proctor Professor Dr Tanzeer Mohammad Haider Arif stated that during the 31 August clashes, locally made weapons stored at the university's security office had been stolen. The notice read, "The stolen weapons must be returned within 48 hours, otherwise strict legal action will be taken."

The unrest began last Saturday night when a female student was allegedly slapped by a caretaker while entering her rented flat in the Gate 2 area of the university. The incident triggered clashes among students late into the night. 

Fighting resumed the next morning (31 August), injuring 400 to 500 people, including the pro-vice-chancellor and the proctor.

To bring the situation under control, Section 144 was imposed from Sunday afternoon until midnight Monday, later extended for another day.