Death of Barishal University student: Protests called off after arrest of bus driver

Students of Barishal University have called off their protest after police arrested a bus driver in connection with the death of Maisha Fauzia Mim in a road accident on October 30.

Narayanganj Travels bus driver Jamil Hossain, 27, was arrested around 11pm yesterday during a raid in Khaserhat village in Patuakhali district, Barishal Police Commissioner Shafiqul Islam told a press conference in Barishal today (November 2).

BU assistant registrar KM Sanwar Parvez Liton had filed the case against Jamil and an unidentified bus helper.

Police said an operation was underway to arrest the other suspect.

BU students have called off their protest, stating that the university administration has shown sincerity in implementing their demands.

On October 30 around 8.45 pm, BU student Maisha died after a Barisal-bound Narayanganj Travels bus ran over her in the Bholar Mor area on the Barisal-Patuakhali highway.

The next day, Maisha’s classmates blocked the highway for hours to present a 10-point demand to the university chancellor.

Their demands include arresting and punishing the perpetrators of the incident, providing compensation to Maisha’s family, building a walkway in front of the university, imposing a speed limit on the road in front of the university gate, developing the hospital system of the university, repairing roads, deploying the traffic police and expanding ambulance services.

Despite the students’ demands, the authorities have agreed to pay compensation of Tk20 lakh to the family of the deceased. Narayanganj Travels will provide compensation of Tk10 lakh, the university administration Tk5 lakh and the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority Tk5 lakh.

According to the Roads and Highways Department, speed breakers have already been constructed in Bholar Mor area on the Barisal-Patuakhali highway. In addition, work is also underway on the construction of a pedestrian bridge and a traffic box.