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RU Press Club Issue

Pro-Shibir journos abuse proctor

13 April 2009, 18:00 PM

NATIONAL

RU Correspondent

A group of pro-Shibir journalists of Rajshahi University (RU) yesterday verbally abused university Proctor Prof Zakaria and threatened to paralyse the institution if he takes any initiative for reform in the RU Press Club. A tense situation followed as the pro-Shibir journalists staged a big showdown along with outsider Shibir cadres on the campus. Prof Zakaria at a press conference at his office said a group of pro-Shibir journalists led by Mahfuzur Rahman Munsi forcibly met him at his office and asked him not to take any initiative for reform in the RU Press Club. Earlier on March 1, working journalists at RU submitted separate memoranda to the university vice chancellor, pro-vice chancellor and proctor demanding immediate steps to free RU Press Club from the grip of Jamaat-Shibir men. Following directive from the RU vice chancellor, Prof Zakaria took initiative for identifying real and fake journalists on the campus. “Shibir journalists asked me to immediately postpone the initiative and not to interfere in the matters concerning the university press club,” Prof Zakaria said at the press conference. The Shibir journalists hurled abuses at him and threatened to paralyse the university if he proceeds with any initiative for reformation in the press club, he said. The Shibir men also criticised the proctor and his different activities, he added. At a meeting at the proctor's office, university proctorial body members condemned the incident and they later informed RU vice chancellor, pro-vice chancellor and other high officials of the matter. Prof Zakaria told newsmen that legal action will be taken against the culprits. When contacted, Mahfuzur Rahman said they involved in an altercation with the proctor for their personal demands. Following BNP-Jamaat government's coming to the power in 2001, a group of journalists loyal to Shibir captured the RU Press Club.