SUST for action against 32 for campus unrest

Authorities examine 7 probe reports of last one year

13 August 2009, 17:00 PM

Staff Correspondent, Sylhet

The authorities of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) last night decided to take action against at least 32 students, including Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) activists, for their complicity in a number of incidents creating unrest on the campus on several occasions during the last one year. Emerging from an emergency meeting that ended at 8:15 last night, acting registrar Ishfaqul Hossain told The Daily Star that the authorities accepted the reports of seven probe bodies formed during the last one year in connection with the untoward incidents and vandalism on the campus. Of the 32 students, 15 would be expelled on different terms while the rest would be fined, he added referring to the meeting decisions. "We are firm to take disciplinary action against the unruly students involved in the violent incidents since October 25, 2008", he said. Vice Chancellor Prof Saleh Uddin Ahmed chaired the meeting held with senior officials, proctorial body members and heads of the probe committees. The SUST authorities yesterday also filed a case with Kotwali Police Station without naming anybody, on charge of forcibly stopping the university's vehicles, vandalising the library building rooms and student messes during the last few days. Earlier, the SUST authorities, at an emergency meeting on August 11, expelled 11 activists of Arif-Moloy faction for its attack on the rivals and for vandalism on the campus a few days ago. Meanwhile, Tofayel, an activist of Arif-Moloy faction of the BCL, was admitted to Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital yesterday afternoon as the activists of Raju-Asad led faction of the BCL swooped on him. BCL university unit has been divided into two factions, Arif-Moloy and Raju--Asad factions, over taking control of the campus. Activists of Arif-Moly faction on Wednesday enforced strike on the campus to press home its five-point demand. The demands include withdrawal of expulsion orders on 11 of their fellows, punitive action against those who attacked the student messes on Tuesday afternoon and recovery of arms from the dormitories. The university authorities at an emergency meeting on Tuesday night expelled 11 activists of Arif-Moloy factions for attack on student messes. Vice-Chancellor Prof Saleh Uddin Ahmed chaired the meeting.