The Awami League's student front called the strike on Thursday following attacks on the BCL members by the BNP-backed Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) activists that left scores injured, including BCL President Liakot Shikder.

The BCL members came under attack when they brought out processions in support of the strike by students of the DU science faculty to press their demand for acceptance of the four-year honours degree as professional qualification.

However, the general students withdrew their indefinite strike programme after the government accepted their one-point demand.

BCL General Secretary Nazrul Islam Babu said their strike will continue till the attackers are arrested and punished.

Meanwhile, fearing further attacks by the JCD activists, many general students, particularly residents of Fazlul Haq Hall and Shahidullah Hall, left the campus yesterday.

Two gunshots near Shahidullah Hall late Thursday night created panic in the area.

Vice Chancellor of the DU Prof. SMA Fayez told the BBC last night some incidents took place in three dormitories, but normalcy was restored there. "Some students could not stay in their dormitories yesterday and the day before yesterday, but now the situation is normal," he said.

Activists of the JCD beat general students and BCL activists at Fazlul Haq Hall and Shahidullah Hall on Wednesday and Thursday and forced them to go out of the halls.

In support of the today's strike the BCL members held a rally at Bangabandhu Avenue yesterday.

It was addressed by AL leaders Abdus Samad Azad, Obaidul Quader, Abdul Mannan,Sultan Mohammad Monsur and BCL General Secretary Nazrul Islam Babu.

Exams Rescheduled

The Dhaka University authorities have postponed all examinations scheduled for today following the BCL call for an indefinite strike. But the scheduled examinations will be held as usual from Sunday despite the strike, the authorities announced.

Prof. Fayez told BBC yesterday they had postponed Saturday's examinations only.

"We'll hold examinations from Sunday as usual even if BCL continues their strike," Fayez said. Examinees will be able sit for the examinations as normalcy has been restored in the dormitories, he added.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh Chhatra Union will hold rallies in Dhaka and elsewhere today, protesting attack by JCD activists on its leaders and workers.