JU students demand justice over alleged assault, rape attempt on campus
They also demanded the proctor's resignation and the arrest of the accused within 24 hours.
Students of Jahangirnagar University staged a protest on Wednesday night (13 May) demanding justice against an alleged assault and attempted rape incident on campus the previous night.
The demonstration began around 10:30pm at Tarzan Point, adjacent to the university's female dormitories.
Protesting students brought out a torch procession that marched through several key points of the campus, including Pritilata Hall, Begum Khaleda Zia Hall, Chourangi, Jucsu building and the transport area, before ending in front of the proctor's office.
Gathering in front of the university's proctor office, progressive student groups demanded the resignation of Proctor Professor AKM Rashidul Alam before announcing a five-point set of demands.
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The protesters called for the arrest of the accused within 24 hours and a speedy trial, while also demanding the resignation of the entire proctorial body for what they described as a failure to ensure campus security.
They further urged the university administration to take immediate steps to prevent harassment on campus by forming a quick response team, strengthening security at all entry points, and repairing infrastructural flaws at campus gates.
The students also demanded the recruitment of more female security personnel and the effective inclusion of female staff members in the quick response team to ensure female students can receive prompt support during emergencies.
On the night of 12 May, a female student was allegedly assaulted and an attempt was made to rape her on the JU campus.
The incident took place around 11:30pm on the road in front of the old Fazilatunnesa Hall, near the Al-Beruni Hall extension area.
A student of the university's 53rd batch of the History Department, Lamisa, said the victim lives in the nearby Islamnagar area. Quoting the victim, Lamisa said, she could not find a rickshaw and was walking through the campus toward the old Arts Building extension area when she noticed someone following her.
Sensing something was wrong, she turned around and asked the man who he was and whether he was a student of the university, said Lamisa. The man introduced himself as a student from the 48th batch. Moments later, he allegedly attacked her, using a cloth-like object to grab her by the throat and trying to drag her into nearby bushes.
The student screamed for help during the attack. She later managed to break free - reportedly by biting the attacker or resisting in some other way - before running onto the road and asking nearby people for help. Locals later rescued her and took her to the university medical centre.
