Information could not be found, among the sources currently available to the DIRB regarding student violence in the Sylhet district, especially in Mouvli Bazar and Sylhet city, since the BNP came to power. However, in July 1994, approximately 1000 students at the Shahjalal University of Science and Technology in Sylhet participated in a strike to postpone their term exams until after the 1994 soccer World Cup (United Press International (UPI) 7 July 1994).

For general information on student violence in Bangladesh, please consult the attached documents.

This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this information request.

United Press International. 7 July 1994. BC Cycle. "Bangladesh Students Strike for World Cup." (NEXIS)

Agence France Presse (AFP) [Hong Kong, in English]. 5 November 1993. "Home Minister Comments on `Terrorist' Activities." (FBIS-NES-93-213 5 Nov. 1993, p. 38)

_____. 6 February 1993. "Deaths from Students Groups' Clash." (FBIS-NES-93-024 8 Feb. 1993, p. 54)

_____. 9 December 1992. "Students March in Support of `Communal Harmony.'" (FBIS-NES-92-238 10 Dec. 1992, pp. 41-42)

_____. 30 July 1991. "Rival Students in Gun Battle at University." (FBIS-NES-91-146 30 July 1991, pp. 41-42)

_____. 27 July 1991. "School Closed after Student Clashes: 100 Injured." (FBIS-NES-91-145 29 July 1991, pp. 55-56)

_____. 23 July 1991. "Rival Student Groups Clash at Dhaka University." (FBIS-NES-91-141 23 July 1991, p. 65)

United Press International (UPI). 7 July 1994. BC Cycle. "Bangladesh Students Strike for World Cup." (NEXIS)

The Xinhua General Overseas News Service. 28 October 1994. "Roundup: Violence Mars Camp Life in Bangladesh." (NEXIS)

_____. 16 November 1991. "University Teachers' Rally Protests Campus Terrorism in Bangladesh." (NEXIS)

Keesing's Record of World Events. Yearly. Edited by Roger East. London: Longman.

Foreign Broadcast Information Service (FBIS). Daily.

Indexed Media Review.

On-line searches of news articles.