JU students give 48-hour ultimatum over arrest of rape attempt suspect

Students of Jahangirnagar University have given the university administration a 48-hour ultimatum to ensure the arrest of the suspect accused of attempting to rape a female student on campus.

The ultimatum came early today following a meeting between protesting students and university authorities around 2:30am, where students presented a six-point list of demands in response to the incident.

Speaking on the matter, JU Vice-Chancellor Professor Mohammad Kamrul Ahsan said the administration had taken the students’ demands positively.

“We are trying to address the issues that can be resolved immediately. We have already contacted higher authorities and hope to take a firm stance against those responsible,” he said.

The administration agreed to the demands, but students warned they would intensify their movement if the authorities fail to implement them within the stipulated timeframe.

The key demands include the arrest of the accused within 48 hours and swift completion of legal proceedings, resignation of the university’s proctorial body if the deadline is not met, and stronger measures to prevent harassment on campus.

Students also called for improved overall campus security, recruitment of female security personnel and their inclusion in the university’s quick response team, along with the formulation and implementation of cyber safety regulations.

“We have placed our demands before the vice-chancellor, and he has accepted them,” said Naziha Binte Shamsuddin, a 52nd-batch student of the university’s economics department.

“If the authorities fail to implement the demands within the given timeframe, we will boycott classes and examinations and announce a more stringent protest programme,” she added.

The ultimatum follows widespread protests by female students after a university student alleged that an outsider attempted to rape her near the abandoned old Fazilatunnesa Hall on camp