Barishal University students take to the street again

Students of Barisal University (BU) again took to the street this morning as the authorities did not fulfil their three-point demand after their 13-hour ultimatum ended.

They are staging a sit-in in front of university's main gate, blocking the Barishal-Kuakata regional highway since 9:30am, reports our Barishal correspondent from the spot.

The ultimatum came as several private dorms for Barishal University students in the city's Rupatli area were attacked allegedly by a group of transport workers early February 17, leaving at least 25 students injured.

The students pressed home their three-point demand yesterday as the university filed a general case over the incident. The demands are: turning the case filed by the university authorities into an attempt to murder case, naming Kawsar Hossain Shipon, president of Barishal-Patuakhali Minibus Owners Association, and transport leaders Manik and Mamun; giving proper safety to the students; and recovery of mobile phones snatched from the students.

On behalf of the agitating students, Mahamudul Islam Tamal said they started the demonstration again this morning after their ultimatum period ended.

"We asked the university administration to file an attempt to murder case against Kawsar Hossain Shipon, president of Barishal-Patuakhali Minibus Owners Association and transport leaders Manik and Mamun. The university authorities filed a case but no names were included in the case."

"General transport workers are being arrested excluding the main culprits," Mahamudul added.

Md Nurul Islam, officer-in-charge of Barishal Kotwali Model Police Station said, "Two people were arrested in the early hours of today. We are conducting operations to arrest more accused."

Barishal University Proctor Professor Subrata Kumar Das said they are holding talks with students and senior police officials in this regard.

"We think that the police can also include the names of the main accused after receiving information from the two people who were arrested. The main accused and their motives will come out only after the police investigation," he said.

Meanwhile, transport workers staged a sit in on the road in Rupatali Chaumatha area demanding the release of the two arrested workers.

The movement of traffic remain suspended following the blockade.

Kawsar Hossain Shipon, president of the Barishal-Patuakhali Minibus Owners' Association, said if the workers are not released, the movement will continue.

Read More: Transport workers attack BU students in private dorms