UIU students threaten 'Dhaka blockade' on Sunday if demands not met
Students of the United International University (UIU) have threatened to observe a blockade programme throughout on Sunday, June 22, if their demands are not met within today (Saturday).
They made the threat while staging demonstrations by blocking the road at Natun Bazar in the capital from this morning with a five-point demand, including the withdrawal of the expulsion order against 41 students.
The protesters began the blockade around 8:30am, and they did not leave the road while filing of the report at about 1:15pm, leaving vehicular movement suspended for around five and a half hours and causing immense sufferings to commuters.
Private University Students Alliance of Bangladesh (PUSAB), a platform of the private university students, expressed solidarity with the protesters and joined the blockade.
Around 11:00am, a scuffle occurred between students and police personnel when the latter tried to remove the former from the road. Protesters claimed several of them were injured in the incident.
Students' five demands as follows:
- Unconditionally withdrawing the unjust expulsion of students;
- Bringing all of those involved in expelling the students to justice after fair investigation;
- Implementing reform demands against UIU's long standing irregularities and willfulness;
- Forming an independent reform commission for private universities; and
- Scrapping 15 per cent tax imposed on private universities.
UIU sources and students said the university’s VC and 11 administrative officials stepped down on April 26 and 27 over student unrest.
On April 28, the authorities suspended all academic activities of the university for an indefinite period.
Although online classes resumed from May 20, a section of the students rejected this and have been demanding direct classes on the campus and ensuring administrative transparency.
Students alleged that the university administration have been denying their rational 13-point demand and on June 2, expelled 41 students.
AAH/MSU
