Published :
Updated :
For all latest news, follow The Financial Express Google News channel.
Students of Jagannath University (JnU) ended their hunger strike on Monday night after receiving assurances from the government that their demands would be met, including the transfer of the second campus project to the army.
The students had been on a hunger strike in front of the secretariat, demanding three key issues: the handover of the second campus project to the army, provision of permanent accommodation for students, and a guarantee of housing allowance for 70 per cent of students until permanent accommodation is arranged.
After 35 hours of protest, the students called off their hunger strike upon receiving a written assurance from the Ministry of Education that the second campus project would be handed over to the army.
Prof Nasir Uddin Ahmed, a faculty member from the JnU English department, helped end the hunger strike. Despite the hunger strike being called off, the university's activities will remain suspended until a final decision is made in a meeting scheduled for Wednesday.
AKM Rakib, a student leader, announced the withdrawal of the hunger strike.
He said that the students received assurances that the issue of the campus project would be discussed in the Education Ministry’s meeting on Wednesday, where the handover of the project to the army would be finalised. Additionally, temporary accommodation for students would also be discussed.
"Two of our three demands have been accepted, so we are ending the hunger strike," Rakib said, adding that “Although we have withdrawn the hunger strike, the campus shutdown will continue.”
The next step will be decided based on the specific decision of the meeting on Wednesday, he added.
A meeting will be held on Wednesday (Jan 15), where the handover of the project to the army will be confirmed. Discussions will also be held about the construction work at Bani Bhaban and Habibur Rahman Hall, and the housing allowance for 70 per cent of students.
Earlier, the students had organised a complete shutdown of the campus, boycotted classes and exams, and locked the university gates. They had also called for the revision of a letter from the ministry, which they deemed unclear.
During the hunger strike, about 15 students fell ill and were sent to the hospital for treatment.