Barishal students resume protests

Students of Barishal University blocked Barishal-Patuakhali Highway again, on Friday afternoon, as their 48-hour ultimatum for a three-point demand ended.

After a march, the students took up positions on the road in front of the university's main gate. Road transport to several southern districts – such as Bhola, Patuakhali and Barguna – came to a halt due to the blockade amid the holidaymakers' weekend rush.    

Barishal University students started the protest on Wednesday morning following the assault on their fellow students. At least fourteen students of the university sustained injuries in the attack carried out on Tuesday night by local motor transportation workers.

Previously, there had been an altercation between two university students and a transport worker at Rupatoli Bus Terminal that Tuesday afternoon. Following that, the transportation workers swooped down on the students entering their rented houses in the Rupatoli area.

On Wednesday morning, the agitated students blocked Barishal-Patuakhali Highway and continued till 5pm. They left the highway upon the university administration's and police's assurances that the culprits would be brought to book.

The students then set the 48-hour ultimatum with the three-point demand, including the attackers' immediate arrest and that measures be taken to ensure the security of the non-resident students.   

Tamal, the spokesperson of the agitating students, said though a case was filed, no one was named in it, and police also did not arrest any of the attackers.

"Therefore, we have to resume our movement," he said. 

When contacted, Officer-in-Charge of Barishal Kotwali Police Station Nurul Islam said the police are actively pursuing the attackers, to arrest them.