City University students demanded six-point action during a press conference at their campus in Savar, protesting the recent attack, arson, vandalism and looting allegedly carried out by students of Daffodil International University.
During the press conference, City University students outlined their six demands, including that the Daffodil University authorities must acknowledge responsibility for the arson, looting and false allegations and issue an unconditional apology; Full coverage of medical expenses for City University students injured in the attack; Compensation for damages to City University’s infrastructure and vehicles destroyed during the incident; Strict investigation and legal action against Daffodil students directly involved in the attack or who incited violence, with cancellation of their student status; Formation of an independent and impartial investigation committee to examine the failure of law enforcement, who did not respond despite repeated requests for help on the night of the attack; Punishment for negligence and removal of APUB President Sabur Khan, whose silence during the incident reflects bias. Students also called for resuming classes promptly once their demands are met, ensuring joint academic activities for both universities.
The students strongly criticised Daffodil University’s press conference, held two days after the attack, for allegedly distorting facts, defending arsonists and looters and spreading false information, calling it deeply regrettable and condemnable.
City University students emphasised that they did not hold anyone hostage during the attack. Rather, the attackers, trapped inside the campus during their looting, organised themselves, used drones, raised slogans, sounded sirens, entered with domestic weapons, vandalised student halls and canteens, destroyed administrative offices and set buses on fire. Video footage of these acts exists.
In their statement, the students reaffirmed that City University stands for education, humanity, and culture and that violence has no place in education. They called on the nation, authorities and all education stakeholders to ensure a fair investigation, expose the truth and bring the perpetrators to justice, to prevent such acts of terror and chaos from recurring in Bangladesh’s educational institutions.
The press conference concluded with a screening of videos showing the attack inside City University.
The clashes, which began on October 26, reportedly over a minor incident involving spitting, escalated into widespread violence, looting and arson between students of City University and Daffodil International University.
Following the incident, both universities filed separate cases at Savar Model Police Station against 12 unidentified students from each institution.
OF/NSA
