Dhaka-Mymensingh trains halted by BAU student protest

Students of Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) blocked the Dhaka-Mymensingh railway line on Saturday night, expressing solidarity with the hunger-striking students at Dhaka University who are demanding reform of the Public Service Commission (PSC) and punishment for those involved in question leaks.

The students blocked the railway track near Jabbar’s Mor area of the university around 8:45 pm, halting the Dhaka-bound Agnibina Express train.

Earlier at 7:00 pm, they staged a protest rally and human chain in front of the Central Library of the university.

During the demonstration, the students placed an eight-point demand, which includes:

Before the 46th BCS written examination:

a) Expel and punish those involved in question leaks;
b) Guarantee that the 46th BCS will not be cancelled in the future;
c) Publish the final results (for successful viva-voce candidates) of the 44th BCS by July and arrange the 46th BCS written exam by late July or early August.

The viva-voce score for the 45th BCS must be 100 marks. Its written results must be published by July and the final results announced within 2025.

A specific roadmap must be published for every BCS exam, including disclosure of marks for preliminary, written, and viva-voce examinations, and exam schedules must be announced at least two months in advance.

Immediate issuance of an ordinance to increase the number of PSC members to 25-30.

To ensure speed, security, and impartiality in the evaluation of written scripts, arrangements must be made to check scripts within the PSC premises.

Re-choice opportunity for cadre preference must be provided before viva exams. Since the 44th BCS viva is ongoing, this opportunity must be given before the final result. This system should be implemented for all future BCS exams.

Withdraw the plan for pre-verification (preliminary police verification) before publishing the final results. No gazette notification can be withheld except in cases of clear charges of criminal offense or sedition.

Cancel the "Non-Cadre Rules-2023" and ensure job placements for all candidates who pass the BCS viva.

The students warned that they would launch a more intensified movement if their demands were not met, reports UNB.