NSTU CORRESPONDENT:
Students of Noakhali Science and Technology University (NSTU) staged a road blockade and sit-in programme at Chaumuhani in Begumganjupazila on Sunday (July 13), protesting an alleged terrorist attack, attempted murder and threats to forcibly disappear fellow students.
Witnesses said around 4:30pm, agitated students took position at the main road of BegumganjChourasta and sat down on the street, blocking vehicular movement. The demonstration continued for about an hour, causing traffic to come to a standstill on the busy Dhaka-Chattogram highway and cutting off road links with Noakhali and Lakshmipur districts.
According to the protesting students, on Saturday (July 12), Animesh Deb Nath, a first-year student of the Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE) department, and two of his classmates were attacked by miscreants while returning to Noakhali from Chattogram. The attackers allegedly tried to strangle one of the students and beat the others with fists, sticks and kicks. They snatched Tk 6,000 in cash and attempted to take away their mobile phones.
A case was filed with the local police station soon after the incident, accusing seven to eight unidentified persons. However, the students expressed outrage as no one has been arrested yet.
Mehedi Hasan Mehedi, a student of the 15th batch of the Applied Chemistry and Chemical Engineering department, said, “We contacted the police immediately after the incident. The attackers can be identified using nearby CCTV footage. Yet, no visible steps have been taken by the administration.”
Riyadul Jannat Maria, a student of the Social Work department, said, “On July 1, we toppled the autocratic Sheikh Hasina, if needed, we will bring down these terrorists too. The attackers must be arrested immediately.”
SalahuddinMohsin, a student of the BGE department’s 13th batch, said, “Law enforcement agencies are paid to ensure people’s safety, not to sit idle. If they fail, students know how to respond.”
Abdul Karim, Assistant Professor of the Applied Mathematics department, said, “Due to the lack of justice and the administration’s weak stance, the students have been forced to take to the streets. I urge the authorities to identify and punish the attackers without delay.”
At the end of the programme, the students issued a 12-hour ultimatum to arrest the attackers. They warned of tougher programmes if their demand is not met within the deadline. The blockade was withdrawn afterward.
