Questions over unrestricted access of outsiders and vagrants on the Jahangirnagar University (JU) campus have resurfaced following allegations that a female student was dragged into a secluded area and subjected to an attempted rape.
Students, teachers and security insiders allege that multiple open entry points, politically backed outsider presence, administrative negligence and weak security measures have turned the country’s one of the largest residential campuses increasingly unsafe.
The incident reportedly took place around 11pm on Tuesday near the abandoned Fazilatunnesa Hall area of the university.
According to students, the victim was dragged into nearby bushes by an unidentified man before fellow students rushed to the scene after hearing her screams and rescued her.
The incident sparked overnight protests across the campus, with students demanding the immediate arrest of the accused, resignation of the proctorial body and effective measures to prevent outsider intrusion on campus.
Alongside torch processions, demonstrations and sit-ins held throughout Wednesday night, students also submitted a memorandum to the vice-chancellor outlining a six-point demand list.
The demands included arresting the accused within 48 hours and ensuring maximum legal punishment.
Students also warned that if visible action was not taken within the stipulated time, the administration must accept full responsibility and resign.
Students alleged that in recent years politically influential groups have enabled outsiders to enter and remain on campus freely. According to them, outsiders are often sheltered in residential halls under the patronage of influential sections of student organizations. Motorcycle rallies and late-night gatherings in secluded areas have also become common, they claimed.
Students further alleged that political divisions within Jucsu over the years have weakened efforts to address campus safety, residential crises and harassment-related complaints.
In recent years, following multiple allegations of harassment, attempted rape, drug abuse, theft and mugging incidents on campus, the university administration announced measures including tighter control over outsider entry, eviction of non-students from residential halls and enhanced security arrangements. However, students claim most of those initiatives were never effectively implemented.
Several areas of the campus — particularly the abandoned Fazilatunnesa Hall area, the swimming pool zone, Botanical Garden, lakeside areas and the rear sides of residential halls — have long been identified as security risk zones. Students said the problem extends beyond isolated spots, arguing that the overall campus security system remains ineffective.
They alleged that important areas still lack CCTV coverage, many installed cameras are largely non-functional, security personnel remain insufficient and patrol activities are limited.
University security officer Zefrul Hasan said security personnel conducted an immediate search operation after being informed of the incident but failed to locate the suspect.
“However, we recovered evidence including the suspect’s shoes and the net-like object allegedly used during the attack. After reviewing CCTV footage, we were able to identify the suspect preliminarily,” he said.
Ashulia Thana Officer-in-Charge Md Tarikul Islam said a team was already investigating the incident with support from the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB).
“We hope the accused will be arrested very soon,” he added.
