TBM Report
Students of Barishal University (BU) blocked the Barishal-Kuakata highway once again on Monday evening following a funeral in absentia (Gaiebana Janaza) for their classmate Yasin Arafat, who died in a road accident. The blockade began around 6:30 PM right after the funeral prayer was conducted on campus.
Teachers, administrative staff, and hundreds of students attended the funeral service. Immediately following the prayer, aggrieved students marched toward the adjacent highway and staged a sit-in, bringing vehicular movement on the vital transport route to a complete halt.
The casualty stems from a head-on collision between a BRTC bus and a three-wheeler (Mahindra) near the Dapdapia Bridge area close to the university on Sunday afternoon. Yasin Arafat, a first-year student from the Department of Bangla (2023-24 session), sustained critical injuries during the crash. He passed away at approximately 10:30 PM on Sunday while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Dhaka.
News of Arafat’s demise triggered widespread anger across the campus, prompting students to enforce repeated highway blockades demanding safety reforms and accountability.
Alongside their initial four-point charter of demands—which includes road repairs within 15 days, university bus services, and pedestrian footpaths—the protesters escalated their demands. They are now demanding 10 million BDT (1 crore Taka) in compensation for Arafat’s family, a government job for a family member, and punitive action against university proctorial body members for alleged negligence.
“Our movement will continue until our demands are met in full,” declared Rajib, a student from the Department of Bangla. “The university administration must compensate the family and take strict action against those responsible within the proctorial team.”
University administrative officials and local law enforcement are currently negotiating with the protesting students to clear the highway and restore normal traffic flow.
 blocked the Barishal-Kuakata highway once again on Monday evening following a funeral in absentia (Gaiebana Janaza) for their classmate Yasin Arafat, who died in a road accident. The blockade began around 6:30 PM right after the funeral prayer was conducted on campus.){kind=link}