The monkey menace at student dormitories of Sylhet Agricultural University (SAU) is intensifying, raising serious safety concerns among female students. In the past five months, over a hundred students have reportedly been injured in attacks at the two girls’ residence halls.
According to university sources, Samad Rahman Hall and Suhasini Das Hall, designated for female students, are surrounded by wooded hills and dense vegetation. This environment has facilitated regular monkey invasions in search of food. Recent weeks have seen an increase in these attacks, creating a heightened sense of insecurity for the students.
In response, the university administration has taken several measures under the guidance of the Forest Department. Both halls have been enclosed with nets, overhanging branches have been trimmed, and security arrangements have been strengthened. Despite these efforts, the attacks have persisted.
During a recent meeting, SAU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Md. Alimul Islam noted, “Due to the limitations of wildlife control laws, any measures we take cannot provide a permanent solution. The administration remains vigilant, but legal constraints hinder the complete resolution of this problem.”
A high-level meeting was held yesterday at the Forest Department headquarters in Agargaon, Dhaka, where Vice-Chancellor Dr. Md. Alimul Islam and Director of the Student Counseling and Guidance Office, Professor Dr. Md. Samiul Ahsan Talukdar, discussed the issue. Senior forest officials, including Chief Conservator of Forests Md. Amir Hossain Chowdhury, Conservator of Wildlife and Nature Protection Md. Sanaullah Patwary, and Director of the Wildlife Crime Control Unit Md. Mizanur Rahman, attended the meeting.
The university continues to explore long-term solutions to safeguard students while addressing the challenges posed by local wildlife.
