Falling plaster injures 2 at JnU; students wear helmets in class amid safety fears

Two students were injured after a sudden ceiling plaster collapse during a class at Jagannath University, raising serious concerns about building safety on campus.

The incident occurred yesterday morning (1 April) in a seminar room of the Mathematics Department while a class was in progress.

The injured students were identified as Tanvir Niaz Fahim and Mahfuzur Rahman Mitul, both first-year students of the 2024-25 academic session, according to university authorities.

Following the incident, panic spread among students. Today (2 April), many Mathematics Department students were seen attending classes and even sitting for exams wearing safety helmets.

"After the incident, we went to the administrative building, where the chairman of the department said the room had already been declared risky following the earthquake," said Rajjo Islam, a student of the department.

"There was a false ceiling, but he [the chairman] could not explain why no repairs had been carried out," the student added.

Students alleged that cracks and falling plaster have been recurring problems across several academic buildings for a long time. A similar incident had previously occurred in a teacher's room within the same department.

Leaders of the Jagannath University Central Students' Union (JnUCSU) criticised the university administration, accusing it of long-standing negligence in maintaining infrastructure.

They warned that failure to take immediate repair measures could lead to more serious accidents.

Many students claim that several classrooms have already become unsafe for use. However, due to a lack of alternative facilities, they are compelled to continue their academic activities in these risky environments.

Amid growing concerns, students have renewed their demand for the quick completion of the university's second campus in Keraniganj, hoping it will help ease the infrastructure crisis and ensure a safer learning environment.