RANGPUR: Academic activities came to halt at Begum Rokeya University in Rangpur as organizations of progressive students on Sunday went on a strike protesting the authorities’ decision of hiking fees.

Campus sources said classes and scheduled examinations were not held as the students put all academic buildings on the campus under lock and key in the morning.

The entry level candidates of graduation programs and their guardians were facing immense sufferings due to the strike, they added.

The members of the progressive organizations enforced the strike to meet their demands and arranged a protest rally in front of the university’s administrative building-1 in the morning.

The agitated students claimed that the cost of education should not be hiked considering the financial abilities of the students and their guardians.

They further said that the admission fee of the university was Tk 5,900 when the university was launched in 2008. This year, the admission fee increased to Tk 9,200.

In addition, in the name of the hall opening, the university authorities are collecting an additional fee of Tk 1,000. In the mean time, the tuition fee has been increased to Tk 50 instead of Tk 35 which is unbearable.

The students are ready to withdraw the strike if their demands are met including cutting fees hike, the student leaders added.

On the other hand, Chhatra League, student wing of ruling Awami League, brought out a procession protesting the strike.

Dr Abu Kalam, who is performing the routine duty of vice-chancellor of the university, said, “We are holding a meeting on this issue.”

“The details of the meeting will be unveiled later,” he added.

BDST: 1635 HRS, MAR 02, 2014