Rajshahi IHT students go on rampage

28 June 2009, 17:00 PM

Staff Correspondent, Rajshahi

Rajshahi Institute of Health Technology students demonstrate on the campus yesterday demanding cancellation of the new admission rules. Right, windowpanes damaged by agitating students. PHOTO: BANGLAR CHOKH

Students of Institute of Health Technology (IHT) in Rajshahi yesterday vandalised the administrative building and damaged the principal's room after police action left 10 students injured on the campus. The students began agitating on the campus in the morning demanding cancellation of the new admission rules at the institute. The health department recently introduced a new admission system that allows low scoring students' admission into medical technology course, the agitating students said, adding that the new rules will discourage meritorious students to study in IHT. At around 12:00pm, the students went to the principal's room to submit a memorandum to education and health ministries through the principal, demanding cancellation of the new system. Without hearing the students, the institute authorities called police who started clubbing the agitating students in front of the administrative building. Infuriated by police action, hundreds of students started vandalising the office rooms of the administrative building. The students locked the main gate and damaged furniture, glasses and windows of 10 rooms of the building including the principal's room. They also brought out an angry procession on the campus and held a protest meeting in front of the Shaheed Minar. In the meeting, they gave the institute authorities an ultimatum to cancel the new admission system by tomorrow (June 30). Tofazzol Hossain, acting principal of IHT, declined to talk to the press on the matter. He, however, said additional police have been deployed on the campus to ensure security.