The Chittagong University Central Students’ Union (Cucsu) ended a four-and-a-half-hour sit-in at the university’s main gate early today after the university administration announced four free circular bus services for students.

Cucsu leaders began the protest around 8:30pm yesterday, alleging that CNG-run auto-rickshaw drivers on the Gate No. 1–Zero Point route were charging students extra fares. When the students protested, the auto-rickshaw drivers stopped the service on the campus yesterday.

Md Ishaq Bhuiyan, secretary of the Cucsu Communications and Housing Division, said around 28,000 students were being “held hostage to a single CNG syndicate” and called for the introduction of a circular bus service.

The protesters blocked the university’s main gate at Zero Point and locked Gate No. 2. Several buses were stranded on the road during the protest.

Assistant Proctor Nurul Hamid Kannon said auto-rickshaw drivers had been charging Tk 10 from Gate No. 1 to Gate No. 1 to the Faculty of Biological Sciences instead of the fixed Tk 7 without issuing any notice.

Around 1:00am today, CU Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Prof Dr Mohammad Al-Amin visited the protesting students and announced that four buses would operate regularly from Gate No. 1 to the Faculty of Biological Sciences.

Prof Al-Amin said, “It is already late at night, and the students should return to their halls. In sha Allah, four buses will operate permanently from tomorrow (today).”

“Four buses will operate permanently from Gate No. 1 to Biology from morning. Students will be able to travel on these buses completely free of charge,” said Ishaq.

After the announcement, the Cucsu leaders withdrew the sit-in.