JU bans battery-run rickshaws, bikes on campus, suspends 4 officials over student’s death
The ban aims to improve safety within the campus and prevent similar accidents from occurring
Jahangirnagar University (JU) has announced a ban on battery-run rickshaws, easy bikes, and motorcycles within the campus following students' protest yesterday, restricting the motorised vehicles' movement.
The decision came following the death of a first-year student, struck by a battery-run rickshaw on the campus.
The administration issued an urgent notice yesterday to inform all concerned about the ban.
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Furthermore, the authorities suspended four officials for negligence. They are Abdur Rahman Babul, deputy registrar and head of the estate office, security officer Md Rasel Mia, assistant supervisor Abdus Salam and security guard Mansur Rahman Pramanik, reads an office order issued around Tuesday midnight.
Afsana Rachi, a student of the Marketing Department, died on Tuesday evening following the accident near the Shaheed Minar adjacent to the New Arts Building.
Today, the first-year students (53rd batch) locked the university's main gate and Prantik gate at around 6:30am and held a sit-in at the main gate as part of the protest programme they called "Jahangirnagar Blockade."
No vehicles were allowed to enter or leave the university during the sit-in programme. The blockade continued till 2pm.
"The students arrived around 6am and took their positions. They locked the gate at about 6:30am. Since the morning, we have not allowed any vehicles to enter the university," said Rabiul Islam, the on-duty guard at the main gate of JU.
Umme Marzan, a history student, said, "Since morning, students from the 53rd batch have been implementing the blockade programme at the Dairy Gate.
"No motorised vehicles from outside are being allowed in, and no motorised vehicles are operating inside the campus today."
The protesting students presented eight demands, including the installation of CCTV cameras within three working days, actions against vehicles with illegal licenses, taking necessary steps for valid license holders by 26 November (including issuing cards), widening the roads, and forming a high-level committee for the overall improvement of the Medical Centre within five working days.
The students also demanded that the authorities provide compensation in consultation with Afsana's family and establish first-aid facilities in each hall.
The university authorities announced a day of condolence today.
