UIU students block Natun Bazar road

Students of United International University (UIU) have blocked the Natun Bazar road, demanding the withdrawal of “unjust expulsions,” accountability from the “repressive” syndicate, and the restoration of democratic practices in their institution.

The demonstration began around 8:30 am on Saturday as part of a programme dubbed the “Natun Bazar Blockade,” resulting in the complete closure of one side of the road, according to police.

“The students have occupied one side of the road, halting traffic from Kuril to Badda,” said Vatara police chief Rakibul Hasan.

“Traffic on the other side is moving normally. We’re trying to convince the students to leave the road. University authorities are here and talking to them.”

Over 50 students participated in the protest, shouting slogans and holding placards. Additional police forces were deployed to maintain order at the scene, reports bdnews24.com.

Protesters were heard shouting slogans including, “Either the expulsion goes, or my body does”, “Withdraw expulsions, reform will follow”, “The authority is tyrannical -- time to step down”, “End privatised education”, and “Let private universities thrive, but down with the syndicate!”

Students allege they have been denied justice despite months of appeals to the administration, University Grants Commission (UGC), and education ministry following the Apr 26 expulsions of students involved in the “UIU Reform Movement.”

With over two months of demonstrations yielding no outcome, students say they were compelled to return to the streets to pre-empt another round of unresolved crises.

In the face of the protests, the UIU vice chancellor and 24 senior academic officials, including deans and department heads, resigned. The university was declared closed indefinitely on Apr 27.

Although online classes resumed on May 20, a significant number of students rejected them, continuing their demand for in-person classes and administrative transparency.