JU students enforce 'Jahangirnagar Blockade' over Afsana’s death
No vehicles are being allowed to enter or leave the university during the students' sit-in programme
Jahangirnagar University (JU) students have blocked all entrances and exits of the university following the death of a student who was hit by a battery-run rickshaw on campus.
Afsana Rachi, a student of the 53rd batch of the Marketing Department at the university, died last evening (19 November) after being hit by a battery-run rickshaw near the Shaheed Minar adjacent to the New Arts Building.
The first-year students (53rd batch) locked the university's main gate and Prantik gate at around 6:30am this morning (20 November) and held a sit-in at the main gate as part of a programme they are calling "Jahangirnagar Blockade."
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4 JU officials suspended amid protest over student's death by battery-run rickshaw on campus
They also presented eight demands that include installing CCTV cameras within three working days, cancelling all illegal licenses, taking necessary steps for valid license holders by 26 November, including issuing cards, widening the roads, and forming a high-level committee for overall improvement of the Medical Centre within five working days.
The students also demanded compensation in consultation with the family and establishing first aid facilities in each hall.
Meanwhile, no vehicles are being allowed to enter or leave the university during the students' sit-in programme.
"The students arrived around 6am and took their positions. They locked the gate at about 6:30am. Since the morning, we have not allowed any vehicles to enter the university," said Rabiul Islam, the on-duty guard at the main gate of JU.
Umme Marzan, a student of the 53rd batch from the History Department, said, "Since morning, students from the 53rd batch have been implementing the 'Jahangirnagar Blockade' programme at the Dairy Gate.
"No motorised vehicles from outside are being allowed in, and no motorised vehicles are operating inside the campus today," she added.
Marzan said Afsana's funeral will be held in the afternoon, and their programme will continue until then.
Jahangirnagar University has also announced a day of condolence today (20 November).
During a protest march after her death, students raised allegations against the deputy proctor for negligence in controlling the reckless movement of autorickshaws, selling rickshaw licenses, and not supervising regularly.
They also called for a boycott of classes and exams and placed a ten-point demand during a demonstration in front of the vice chancellor's office.
