2 students on hunger strike fall sick

Two  students of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology  University (BSMRSTU) fell sick yesterday during their indefinite hunger  strike demanding resignation of the vice chancellor for his alleged  involvement in corruption.

The students --  Mahmud, a second-year student of English, and Shimanto, a  third-year student of agriculture -- are undergoing  treatment at Gopalganj Sadar Hospital.

A section of students have been observing indefinite hunger strike on campus since September  19, the day when several thousand students started demonstrating for the removal of VC Prof Khondoker Nasiruddin.

Yesterday, the  protesting students under the banner of “General Students of BSMRSTU” held a press conference in front of the academic building of the university where they brought 14 allegations against the VC.

The allegations include sexual harassment, nepotism in recruiting teachers and employees and corruption in development projects including the construction of Shaheed  Minar and Bangabandhu’s mural on the campus.

After the press conference, protesters demonstrated for the seventh consecutive day, and vowed to continue their protests until their  demand is met.

In wake of the ongoing students’ movement, university authorities on September 21 declared a 10-day vacation ahead of Durga Puja and asked students to vacate dormitories, but students  continued their demonstrations.

Meanwhile, lecturer Humayun Kabir -- who  resigned from the post of assistant proctor protesting the attacks on students on September 21 -- filed a general diary (GD) with Gopalganj  Sadar Police Station last night, seeking security.

In the  GD, he claimed that some VC-backed teachers threatened him in person, saying he will face dire consequences, while some others threatened him on Facebook and spread misinformation about him.

“I am feeling insecure now due to such threats,” he told The Daily Star.