Eden students’ ultimatum

The ultimatum came at a meeting between the students and the college authorities that sought 15 days' time to meet their demand. The authorities also said they have formed a committee to investigate the incident.

But the students, who have been demonstrating since March 8 in protest against eviction of more than 20 students from the hall, threatened to launch a tougher movement if their demand is not met by today.

They also demanded punishment to the JCD leaders involved in the incident. The JCD leaders are now distributing those seats among the newcomers in exchange of money, they alleged.

They also demanded an apology from Principal Prof Feroza Begum for the comments she made on March 8 describing the agitating students as 'girls from the streets'.

The authorities held the meeting yesterday after the students encircled the principal and some other teachers at the college auditorium for about 10 minutes. Earlier, the students also brought out a procession and formed a human chain on the campus.

Prof Feroza Begum, also the wife of State Minister for Religious Affairs Mosharef Hossain Shahjahan, told reporters that the college authorities formed a probe committee led by Julekha Khatun, super of Khodeza Khatun Hall, on March 8 after they received a complaint from the students. But she could not mention the names or the number of the committee members.

The college authorities said they had expelled JCD leader Afrin Jahan Sima on charge of her involvement in illegal seat allocation.

But the students said the action is just eyewash as Sima has already completed her master's in philosophy last year.

Sima was not available for her comments. On March 8, she told The Daily Star that she was not involved in the incident.

The demonstrators will also stage a sit-in in front of administrative building at 10:30am today.