They observed the hunger strike demanding immediate release of its teacher Hasna Hena who was sent to jail in a case filed over the suicide of Aritree Adhikari.

Aritree Adhikari, a Class-IX student, reportedly committed suicide at their Shantinagar residence in the city on December 3 after allegedly being rebuked by teachers for using mobile phone during examination.

Victim’s father Dilip Adhikari filed a case against three teachers of the school.

Witnesses said around one hundred students staged a sit-in around 8 am flowed by a token hunger strike from 11 am to 1 pm demanding release of their teacher.

While talking to reporters, Farha Dolon, a student of the school, said, “Our teacher Hasna Hena is innocent. We want her immediate release.” 

Talking to UNB, some other demonstrating students said they want proper investigation into the incident and immediate release of their teacher. 

The students also submitted a memorandum to the Education Ministry demanding  withdrawal of the case filed against Hasna Hena and her reinstatement with due respect.

Meanwhile, Zannatul Ferdous Shila, a teacher of the school, met the demonstrating students and offered them water around 12:55 pm to end the strike. Acting Principal Hasina Begum along with other teachers was also present.

Later, the students who have been demonstrating since Thursday left the area. 

Detectives arrested Hasna Hena from the city’s Uttara area on December 5 amid protests of students over the suicide incident. 

On the next day, a Dhaka court sent her to jail on charges of provoking the student to commit suicide.

Meanwhile, teacher Hasna Hena was freed on bail on Sunday.

Earlier in the day, secretary of Intermediate and Secondary Education Board, Md Sohrab Hossain, urged the protesting students to return to their classes.

Talking to the reporters at the secretariat, he said, “As the preparation of the national election is underway, we are trying our best to secure the educational atmosphere in the country.”