7 CU students fall ill during hunger strike demanding proctorial body’s resignation

Seven students of Chittagong University fell ill today while observing a hunger strike demanding resignation of the university's proctorial body.

Of them, three students are currently undergoing treatment at CU's medical centre, said Abul Kashem, a physician at the centre.

Dr Kashem said, "Due to prolonged fasting, the three students are suffering from salt and sugar deficiency. Their blood pressure and sugar levels have dropped significantly. We are monitoring their condition closely and providing necessary treatment."

The seven are among nine students who started the hunger strike around 12:30pm on September 10 in front of the proctor's office under the banner of "Odhikar Sacheton Shikkharthibrindo".

Sumaiya Shikder, a marketing student, said, "Many of us have already fallen sick, but the administration is still refusing to take responsibility. Officials told us they do not have the authority to meet our demands. Such a response is unacceptable, so we rejected their proposal. We will continue our hunger strike until the proctorial body resigns."

Last night, the CU administration had proposed resolving the issue through dialogue, but the students turned it down, saying the authorities had previously given assurances during talks that were never implemented.

According to the administration, most of the students' demands are already under process. It also invited the protesters to a meeting scheduled for next Sunday to discuss all pending issues.

Today, CU Pro-Vice Chancellor (academic) Prof Shamim Uddin said, "We approached the students with a proposal for dialogue, but they refused. We even tried to persuade them to end the strike, but they are still continuing."

According to the students, they went on hunger strike also for seven other previously declared demands. They earlier handed over a memorandum signed by more than a thousand students. Around 500 students were injured in clashes on August 30 and 31, between CU students and locals. They said that there is no guarantee such incidents will not happen again.