13 student bodies demand fair investigation

Two alliances of 13 student organisations yesterday demanded a fair probe into the recent death of a Dhaka University student and election to all student unions at universities and colleges.

Progressive Students' Alliance and Anti-Imperialist Students' Union brought out a procession on the DU campus where they also called upon the hall authorities to duly perform their duties of providing accommodation to students in a transparent manner.

Marketing fresher Hafijur Mollah died on February 2 from typhoid and pneumonia, contracted after being compelled to take up residence in a Salimullah Muslim Hall corridor, said his friends and family.

He was forced to keep standing for nearly four hours in freezing cold at night as part of a "guestroom duty" despite having a fever and cold, they added.

"Guestroom duty" is a regular session where BCL leaders gather the junior students, brief activists on political activities, and analyse their performances.

Addressing a rally at the Aparajeya Bangla, the alliance leaders demanded that the university authorities should hold election to all student unions including Dhaka University Central Union (DUCSU) to stop harassment of students at the guestrooms and ensure democratic environment at the educational institutions.

Progotishil Chhatra Jote also staged demonstration for the same demands yesterday, at Carmichael College in Rangpur.

Protesting the allegations, DU unit BCL President Abid Al Hasan said "guestroom duty" does not mean a torture cell but rather the leaders listen to and solve problems of junior activists.

DU Proctor AM Amzad said, "I have heard about forming an investigation committee, but have not received the report yet."

Saikat Mollik, central president of Ganasamhati Andolon backed Bangladesh Chhatra Federation, later announced holding a press conference at Modhur Canteen of DU on March 6, to announce further movements.