Khulna City Corporation Mayor Talukder Abdul Khaleque on Friday morning met with two students of Khulna University who have been on hunger strike since Sunday and urged them to withdraw it.
The mayor also spoke to a five-member delegation from the university about the students.
After a discussion with the two protesting students, Mayor Talukder told them the authorities would consider it with special importance if they apologized to the university administration for the allegations against them and submitted an application for a reduction in punishment by 3pm on Friday.
If the two students on hunger strike agree to the proposal, the KCC mayor said he would go to them in the afternoon and break their strike.
Several officials of KU, including its vice-chancellor, were present during the mayor’s statement.
KU Public Relations and Publications Division Director SM Atiar Rahman at 3:45pm said the two students had submitted a written application which was being reviewed by the administration.
KU will inform the KCC mayor about their decision, he said.
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KU VC Prof Mohammad Fayek Uzzaman and Pro-VC Prof Mosummath Hosna Ara met with the two students on Monday and advised them to submit an application for revocation of the punishment handed by the disciplinary board.
The VC later said there was room for reconsideration if they expressed regret or remorse for their behavior.
“The students can apologize to the two faculty members who were mistreated,” he added.
The two KU students started a 48-hour hunger strike from Sunday evening to protest their expulsion and demand reinstatement.
They said they would begin a fast-unto-death if no decision regarding the matter was taken within the given time frame.
