The authorities of Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur (BRUR) have sought 10 days to respond to the demand placed by students to arrange students’ union election as they are on a hunger strike.

“BRUR Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Md Showkat Ali sought the time on Monday night,” said a statement, signed by the university’s Public Relations officer Ehteramul Haque.

The students have been staging the hunger strike since 11am on Sunday demanding the immediate announcement of student union elections.

Meanwhile, six of the students have already fallen ill with three being admitted to Rangpur Medical College Hospital.

Though the university authorities have tried to convince the students to withdraw the strike several times, the students were found rigid on their stance until their demands are met.

4 students of Rokeya University fall sick during hunger strike

The VC has visited the students several times with a call for ending the movement.

The university administration argues that drafting the student union constitution and issuing an official gazette cannot be completed within days.

As work on the process is going on, the VC has sought 10 working days to complete the preparations, the statement reads.

Acknowledging the demand, the statement says a student union has become more urgent following the July Uprising as the students eagerly await the election schedule.

While the 2009 BRUR Act does not explicitly provide for a student union, the current administration initiated the process in its 108th syndicate meeting to establish one through elections.