Classes and examinations in all departments of Jagannath University remained suspended for the second consecutive day on Tuesday due to a shutdown by students demanding transfer of construction work of the second campus to the army.
The students also warned of an indefinite strike if Wednesday鈥檚 steering committee meeting of the education ministry failed to meet their demands.
Administrative activities at university offices, however, continued on the day.聽
At about 9:00am, the campus was deserted, with no classes or student attendance taken.
The main gate of the Shaheed Sajid academic building was locked, displaying banners reading 鈥榮hutdown鈥� though only a pocket gate remained open.
Hafizur Rahman, a computer operator at the student welfare office, confirmed that services were being provided to students.
Mansur Alam, deputy registrar of the transport office, said that the university buses plied on their scheduled routes to pick up students.
Registrar Gias Uddin said that essential administrative tasks, including issuing certificates and mark sheets, were being done within the stipulated time under the Citizen鈥檚 Charter, despite the shutdown.聽
Earlier on Monday night, students temporarily called off their hunger strike after receiving a written commitment from the ministry to consider their demands.
Students, led by AKM Rakib from botany department, however, declared that the shutdown would persist until a conclusive decision was reached on Wednesday.聽
The three main demands of the students are signing an agreement to transfer the construction of the second campus to the army, accelerating and completing the construction of steel-based buildings at Bani Bhaban and Habibur Rahman Hall in Old Dhaka and ensuring housing allowances for 70 per cent of students until residential facilities are available.聽
Earlier, the students began their hunger strike on Sunday at 8:30am, leading to the hospitalisation of 15 participants. Despite repeated appeals from the vice-chancellor, the strike continued until Monday evening when around 500 students joined a demonstration at the secretariat.
