Interim govt accepts demands of JnU students

The interim government has accepted the demands of Jagannath University (JnU) students.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman Prof SMA Faiz made the announcement on Friday evening.

He broke the students' hunger strike by offering them water at their protest site in Dhaka's Kakrail.

"The government has accepted all the demands raised by the students of Jagannath University," said Prof Faiz around 7:00 pm, after arriving at the demonstration site.

He said the authorities had been working throughout the day to resolve the issue.

"The UGC is like a family—we will work together to address everything. We are committed to implementing all your demands."

Prof Rois Uddin, general secretary of the Jagannath University Teachers' Association, said one of the key demands was action against those involved in the recent attack on students.

"Police have expressed regret over the incident and pledged to take action against those responsible within seven days," the UGC chairman said.

He also noted that the government had agreed to all other demands, including an increase in the university's operational budget.

Besides, temporary dormitories will be constructed soon to address the ongoing accommodation crisis, while the implementation of the second campus will begin on a priority basis.

These assurances were conveyed by the UGC following discussions with the Finance Ministry and the Chief Adviser's Office.

Earlier in the day, students launched their hunger strike at 3:45 pm at the Kakrail intersection, dividing into groups by academic departments to press home their demands.