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BSS-34
DU-PROTEST-POLLS
Five more fall sick as hunger strike continues at DU
DHAKA, Jan 18, 2020 (BSS) – Five more students of Dhaka University (DU) fell sick while observing the fast unto death programme on the third consecutive day today demanding deferral of Dhaka north and south city corporations’ election slated for January 30.
The students – Ovi Das Pritom of Marketing, Arnob Hore of Leather Engineering Institute, Dipom of Theatre and Performance Studies, Akash Chowdhury of Tourism and Hospitality Management and DUCSU member Tanvir Hasan Saiqat, fell ill, said protesters.
Among them, Ovi Das Pritom was taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) this morning while others are being administered intravenous saline as their condition deteriorated, said Utpal Bishwas, vice-president of DU’s Jagannath Hall Students’ Union.
Earlier on Friday, nine DU students, including Jagannath Hall union General Secretary Kajal Das, its Social Welfare Secretary Pradip Das, and two general students of the hall- Apurbo Chakrabarty and Arka Saha, fell sick.
As of now, 14 students have become sick in observing the hunger strike.
Meanwhile, three DU teachers-Gobinda Mandal of Law Department, Nepal Chandra Roy of Mathematics Department and Dr Mukul Kumar Baroi of Sculpture Departmenttoday expressed solidarity with the protesting students.
Later, the trio went on hunger strike with the students at the base of Anti-terrorism Raju Memorial Sculpture on the campus around 12pm today.
At least 25 DU students began fast unto death at the altar of Raju Memorial Sculpture on the campus from Thursday afternoon demanding rescheduling of Dhaka north and south city corporations poll.
On Friday, DU Vice Chancellor (VC) Prof Md Akhtaruzzman expressed solidarity with the students saying students’ demand is logical.
BSS/ASG/MMM/KU/1949 HRS