Quader: PM observing JU unrest

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is closely following the ongoing unrest at Jahangirnagar University, said Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader.

“The head of the government is very alert over the matter. She will take steps after analyzing the situation,” he told journalists on Tuesday.

Quader, also the Road Transport and Bridges minister, added that the prime minister is aware of all matters related to the unrest.

Earlier in the day, at least 25 people were injured in an attack allegedly by Chhatra League during a protest program. The protesters were demanding  the resignation of Vice Chancellor Prof Farzana Islam.

Later, following a clash between protesters and Bangladesh Chhatra League activists, JU authorities announced the indefinite shut-down of the university.

A group of students and teachers had been demanding the resignation of Vice Chancellor Farzana Islam, who has been accused of corruption.

They had been staging demonstrations around her residence on campus since Monday evening.

Professor Tareq Reza of JU Bangla department, also one of the protesting teachers, told Dhaka Tribune that among the injured, eight were teachers of the institution, three were journalists on the spot, and the rest were students of the university.

He added that, while staging a sit-in protest in front of the vice chancellor's residence, the protesters were attacked by a group of Chhatra League men around 12 pm. They were led by the university's Chhatra League President Jewel Rana.

When asked about the attack on the protesters, JU Chhatra League President Jewel Rana said: "We did not attack anyone. However, we heard Shibir men [student wing of Jamaat-e-Islami] are affiliated with the protest, and we want a Shibir-free campus."

Acting proctor ASM Firoz Ul Hasan of JU said: "A mob was created at the scene during the protest, and we were unable to bring the mob under control.”

However, the proctor claimed that no students were injured.