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Students of Haji Muhammad Mohsin Hall at Dhaka University, who have been demonstrating for the construction of a new dormitory building, spent the night inside a staff residential building after taking control of it on Friday. During the strong earthquake that jolted the country on Friday morning, a student named Tanzir Hossain was severely injured after jumping from the fourth floor of Mohsin Hall out of panic.
Two other students from the same hall were also injured after jumping from the roof.
Following that incident, students from Mohsin Hall padlocked the gate of the staff's residential building demanding reconstruction of their hall building.
Around 2:00 pm, they also padlocked several staff flats. DU Vice-Chancellor Prof Niaz Ahmed Khan, Treasurer Prof Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, and Proctor Saifuddin Ahmad visited the spot and tried to calm down the agitating students.
However, failing to receive a firm commitment from the authorities, the students continued their demonstration.
Later, around 11:00 pm, they sat for another round of discussion with the administration which ended at around 1:30 am.
The protesting students decided to stay in the staff quarters after they did not receive any concrete assurance regarding the construction of a new dormitory building.
Dr. Sirajul Islam, the provost of Mohsin Hall, said on Friday night, "Our students got very much frightened after the earthquake. Since they are scared to stay in their own hall, the Vice-Chancellor has instructed us to arrange temporary accommodation for them in other halls."
He added that once the hall is inspected and declared safe, the students will be asked to return. For now, students who are afraid may stay in the staff quarters.
On Saturday, during a visit to the 10-storey staff building near Shaheed Sergeant Zahurul Haque Hall, it was seen that students were staying in flats that were unoccupied by staff.