The deputy registrar of Jahangirnagar University (JU), among four officials, has been suspended following the death of Afsana Karim Rachi, a student from the 53rd batch of the Department of Marketing at the university.
The administration also declared today (November 20) as a Day of Mourning in honour of the deceased student, during which all classes and exams were halted, according to an official notice signed by JU Acting Registrar ABM Azizur Rahman earlier on the day.
The notification also stated that the university's flag will be flown at half-mast and no university buses will be operating during the day.
Those temporarily suspended for neglecting their duties are: Deputy Registrar (Estate) Abdur Rahman Babul, Security Officer Rasel Mia, Assistant Supervisor Abdus Salam, and Duty Guard Monsur Rahman Pramanik, added the notice.
Among them, Deputy Registrar Abdur Rahman has been temporarily replaced by Mohammad Abul Kashem, the sub-registrar of the transport office.
Meanwhile, starting at 8:30am this morning, students from the 53rd batch of the university initiated the “Jahangirnagar Blockade” programme at the university's main gate (Dairy Gate) demanding the trial of the killer rickshaw-puller, compensation for the family of the deceased, a safer campus, and several other demands. As of the writing of this report, their protest is ongoing.
Earlier, on the night of the incident, students of the university gathered in front of the residence of Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Mohammad Kamrul Ahsan, where they held a sit-in and protest march. At that time, after receiving assurances that all of the students' demands would be met, the protesters returned to their dormitories.
In this regard, JU Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Administration) Professor Dr Sohel Ahmed remarked, “We have accepted the students' demands. Today is being observed as a Day of Mourning.”
“Efforts are being made to bring order to both transportation and administrative activities,” he added.
Bd-pratidin English/ Fariha Nowshin Chinika
