Dhaka:Students of the Government College of Applied Human Science, previously known as the Government Home Economics College, have left the streets after issuing a 72-hour ultimatum for an impartial investigation into an alleged police attack on students. The protest, which continued until Friday afternoon, also included a declaration of the principal as unwanted by the students.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the protesters have called for the formation of an impartial investigation committee and demanded action against the police personnel responsible for the alleged attack, warning of more stringent actions if their demands are not addressed. The protest resumed on Friday morning, a day after police intervened to rescue Principal Professor Meherunnessa, who had been confined by students in her office.
The students' two-point demand includes the investigation into what they described as a brutal police attack on students during a midnight operation at the campus. They insist the responsible police personnel and officials face exemplary departmental and legal actions. They also stated that classes and administrative activities would remain suspended until a formal notification of the principal's resignation is issued by the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education.
Protesters have accused teachers and staff of instigating or supporting assaults on students and demanded their punishment. A student involved in the protest reported injuries from a police baton charge, with one student currently hospitalized. The student criticized college authorities for not reaching out to the protesters.
The protest began after students gathered in front of the principal's office on Thursday morning, confining her inside. Police arrived late at night to free the principal, but the demonstrations continued until early Friday morning. Allegations include police dragging students by their hair and beating them with batons.
The protests were sparked by a farewell program that extended beyond its allotted time, leading to the principal's decision to cancel the residential seats of two student organizers. The students claimed the principal demanded a fine for the additional use of the auditorium. Allegations of irregularities and mistreatment by the principal were also raised, though she has denied them.
Principal Meherunnessa has disputed the claims, stating the program exceeded its permitted time and that her initial decision to cancel the seats was made in anger but later reconsidered after the students' apologies. She also rejected the demand for her resignation made by the protesting students.