BM College locked, strike called from today

They alleged that the college authorities are realising Tk 2980 examination fees against Tk 1780 fixed by the National University.

The protesting students had locked rooms and squatted on the road in front of the college on Monday protesting realisation of the "excess fees". They unlocked the rooms and withdrew the sit-in following assurance from the college authorities that a decision would be announced by Tuesday.

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"As nothing came forth, we locked the rooms and called an indefinite strike from tomorrow", a leader of the agitating students said yesterday.

Tension over the issue mounted on the campus as students brought out a procession and laid a siege to the principal's office on Monday.

The protesting students alleged that the college authorities are illegally realising Tk 1200 more on different heads. These include Tk 60 for photostat, Tk 100 for transport, Tk120 for medical, Tk 70 for communication with National University, Tk 20 for poor fund, Tk 50 for maintenance work and Tk 50 for continuing cases lodged against college authorities.

They said this burden of "excess fees" is unbearable for most of their guardians.

On Monday the students also barricaded roads in front of the college that disrupted traffic in the city from 9 am to noon.

When contacted Principal Prof Nurul Huq admitted the student unrest.

He said at a meeting with with student leaders on Monday, Tk 225 "concession" from the total amount of Tk 2980 was made.

Yesterday, another meeting was held with the leaders of the college students union to resolve the crisis. The meeting decided to reduce the realisable amount by Tk 500.

But general students, led by student leaders aligned with different political parties, refused that and demanded reduction of Tk 1200.

The agitating students said no excess fees was realised last year.