An unidentified man reportedly attempted to rape a female student of Jahangirnagar University on the campus on Tuesday night, prompting protests by student groups and renewed criticism over campus security.
The incident took place around 11:00pm near the abandoned old Fazilatunnesa Hall area, according to university authorities and fellow students.
Students who accompanied the victim to the university’s security office said that the victim, a student of the university’s 51st batch, was walking along the road when a man began following her.
When confronted, the man claimed that he belonged to the university’s 48th batch and lived in the nearby Bishmile area.
Moments later, he allegedly wrapped a net rope around the student’s neck, dragged her into a dark area and attempted to rape her, the students said.
The victim managed to escape and return to the road, where passers-by rescued her and took her to the university medical centre for treatment.
Duty physician Tanvir Hossain said that the student was given primary treatment.
Later, the university authorities reviewed the CCTV footage with the victim and other students at the university’s security office.
Footage showed a man in the area around the time of the incident, although his identity could not immediately be confirmed.
Describing the incident as ‘very disgraceful’, JU proctor Professor AKM Rashidul Alam said that authorities were examining footage from across the campus to identify the suspect.
‘The entire campus is under CCTV surveillance. We hope to obtain a clearer image from one of the recordings,’ he said, adding that the university administration stood beside the victim.
The university administration filed a case with Ashulia police station on Wednesday under charges of attempted rape and attempted murder, according to the complainant and university security officer Jefrul Hasan Chowdhury.
Demanding justice and improved campus security, student organisations and activists launched protest programmes on the campus.
Under the banner of Female Students of Jahangirnagar University, a protest rally organised against attempting rape of the student and the administration’s ‘failure’ to ensure security on the campus.
JU unit of Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal and Jatiya Chhatra Shakti also announced protest programmes, demanding the arrest and punishment of the accused.
Meanwhile, JU Central Students Union announced to besiege the university’s registrar office on Thursday morning, demanding internal campus security and justice for the attempted rape victim.
