Students of Jahangirnagar University (JU) lifted their blockade of the administrative building after the Vice-Chancellor assured them that they are working to promptly arrest the rickshaw puller involved in the death of Afsana Rachi, a student of the Marketing Department.
It was learnt that, the first-year students of batch 53 staged the blockade at the university's administrative building on Sunday and refused to allow any entry or exit, accusing the authorities for failing to identify and apprehend the rickshaw puller, even after five days after the incident.
The protest, which began at 8:00am on Sunday morning, lasted for five hours as the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Kamrul Ahsan, assured them of the immediate arrest of the rickshaw puller.
During the blockade, the university's Vice-Chancellor, Prof Kamrul Ahsan, along with Prof Masum Shahriar, head of the inquiry committee formed to investigate the incident, and Prof Mostafizur Rahman, a committee member, addressed the protesting students.
Prof Masum Shahriar, while speaking to the protestors, said we are working tirelessly on this case. We have already prepared a sketch of the rickshaw puller, and law enforcement agencies are actively pursuing leads. Additionally, the National Security Intelligence (NSI) is involved in the investigation.
Prof Mostafizur Rahman said we have identified three eyewitnesses, aside from the rickshaw puller, who have helped us create a detailed sketch. The rickshaw passengers were reportedly young workers, and we are making all efforts to track down the puller.
In response to the students concerns, Vice-Chancellor Prof Kamrul Ahsan expressed his commitment to ensuring a fair investigation.
"It is my moral responsibility to guarantee a transparent trial in this matter. I am doing everything in my power to resolve this, and I seek your cooperation. We hope to have updates by next Tuesday," he said.
Despite the assurances, the students warned that they would continue their protest by boycotting classes and exams until the rickshaw puller is apprehended and justice is served.
It is mentionable that Afsana Rachi was fatally injured when she was hit by an autorickshaw on November 19, and the incident has sparked outrage within the university community.
