Hunger strike at KU called off
Seventy students of Khulna University (KU) called off their fast-unto- death programme at 1:30 pm yesterday following an assurance given by City Mayor Talukder Abdul Khaleque that their demand would be considered sympathetically.
The mayor accompanied by Vice Chancellor Prof Saifuddin Shah, Pro- Vice Chancellor Prof Purnendu Chandra Gayeen and General Secretary of Khulna city Awami League Mizanur Rahman went to the venue of the programme in front of the university's main gate and gave the assurance.
The students began fast-unto- death from June 13 demanding withdrawal of punishment imposed on 34 students of the university in connection with April 5 incident on the campus.
On the basis of the probe committee's report, the university authorities on June 8 permanently expelled four students and take punitive measures against 30 others for their involvement in the incident.
The punished students while joining the fast-unto-death programme along with 36 general students pleaded innocence, saying they have been made worst victims of an internal rift between two groups of teachers of the university---one is headed by the vice chancellor and the other by pro-vice chancellor.
They told the mayor that action taken by the university authorities would spoil their academic career. "We want to die instead of being identified as spoilt students."
After giving patient hearing, the mayor assured the students of an acceptable solution to the crisis so that they can go back to their classes after being exempted from punishment.
He advised the students to abide by the rules and regulations of the university and show due respect to their teachers. He also asked them not to vitiate the academic atmosphere of the university by resorting to vandalism.
When contacted, Vice Chancellor Vice Chancellor Prof Saifuddin Shah expressed his satisfaction at the intervention of the city mayor in resolving the crisis.
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