Demand for exemplary punishment ringing

Demands continued to come in protests and through social media and statements yesterday for arrest of and trial-based exemplary punishment for Awami League lawmaker Omar Faruque Chowdhury and Rajshahi city unit General Secretary Dablu Sarker over their "virulent" behaviour at the Rajshahi University (RU) vice-chancellor's (VC) office recently.

RU's 30,000 students and teachers have been abused since the VC represents them said the protestors, adding that such deeds, to make RU a political party's assets, were unacceptable.

On Wednesday, Omar barged into VC Muhammad Mizanuddin's office, shouted expletives and threatened to get the latter sacked, allegedly after being asked to meet later.

Denying this, Omar said he had gone there and only talked about lessening a fine the RU authorities imposed on a private medical college.

Next day, Dablu, accompanied by some 30 others, pushed his way into the office, shouted expletives and manhandled at least five teachers, demanding that people of their choosing be appointed in the RU administration.

Over 200 students and teachers joined a procession and a rally at Tukitaki Chattar organised by Progressive Students' Alliance, a platform of four leftist student bodies, around noon.

Assistant professors Kazi Mamun Haider of mass communication and journalism and Golam Sarwar Sujon of history and RU unit Bangladesh Chhatra Federation President Faruk Emon and Biplobi Chhatra Moitri General Secretary Dilip Roy were present.

The statements were issued by Chairman Council, a body of 50 RU department heads; RU Provost Council, Rajshahi University Kendrio Sangskritik Jote, Rajshahi University Association of Law Finders and RU Nobojagoron Foundation.

On Friday, Rajshahi sadar lawmaker Fazle Hossain Badsha condemned the incidents and called for proper investigations.

BCL BEATING, MEMORANDUM

Meanwhile, RU Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) men beat up an activist and vandalised another's room while the pro-AL student body submitted a memorandum at the VC's office containing seven demands.

Sources said some eight BCL men led by expelled organising secretary Shamsuzzaman Emon beat up Soikat Hossain, a fourth year economics student, in the latter's room and then vandalised Hanif's room and snatched a computer in Syed Amir Ali Hall around 4:30pm.

Soikat declined to comment, Hanif claimed it was for associating himself with the acting general secretary, Emon denied the allegation and Proctor Prof Tarikul Hasan assured looking into the matter.

The memorandum's demands include stopping establishment of a police station on the campus, planting trees and withdrawing cases against BCL men.