CU BCL faction goes on rampage at VC office
A faction of Bangladesh Chhatra League's Chittagong University's suspended unit yesterday vandalised the office of the vice-chancellor for not meeting their demand of dismissing a teacher.
Another faction extended their support to Md Amir Uddin, associate professor of Institute of Education and Research, and said they would resist any such move.
The row has triggered confrontation between the two factions, the former loyal to Chittagong City Corporation Mayor AJM Nasir Uddin and the latter to ex-mayor and President of Chittagong city Awami League ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury.
VC Prof Dr Iftekhar Uddin Chowdhury said they would take action against the unruly students as per the university rules.
He said any teacher can be involved in social movements or express their opinions independently, adding, there is no embargo in the CU Act in this regard.
Members of the pro-Nasir faction, which is led by Alamgir Tipu, president of the suspended committee, on Sunday allegedly threatened the teacher at his office for expressing opinions against CCC tax reassessment.
They also submitted a memorandum to the VC on Monday with a 24-hour ultimatum to sack the teacher.
As their demand was not met, the faction went on the rampage at the VC office yesterday. They also vandalised a private car and a motorcycle in front of the administrative building and at least 20 flower pots in front of the VC's office room, said eyewitnesses.
Assistant Proctor Niaz Morshed confirmed the incident.
Members of the faction also demonstrated at Zero Point by padlocking the main entrance to campus from 1:20pm to 2:20pm, said eyewitnesses, adding that teachers' bus and shuttle train services were suspended during the demonstration.
A journalist was assaulted as he was trying to take photos during the demonstration.
Meanwhile, the pro-Mohiuddin faction, led by Fazley Rabbi Sujan, general secretary of the suspended committee, organised a rally in front of the administrative building demanding punishment of those who humiliated and threatened the teacher and vandalised the VC office.
Asked if the teacher's participation in the movement against reassessment of tax is illegal, Tipu said the government fixed the tax and the teacher was conducting movement against a government decision. “So we are staging a demonstration against him,” he added.
Tipu further said they have postponed their demonstrations till November 22 upon assurance from the authorities.
Sujan said they have set an ultimatum of 24 hours to cancel the studentship of those who have humiliated and threatened the teacher and vandalised the VC office.
“Our constitution gives every citizen the right to express their opinions. No-one can be threatened or humiliated for exercising this right to express their opinions,” he said, adding, “We are by our teacher and will bring him to the campus.”
“We want to see who comes to stop him from coming to the campus,” he added.
Proctor Ali Ajgar Chowdhury said two committees had earlier been formed to investigate the incidents and were asked to submit reports in two weeks.
Asked about yesterday's vandalism, he said they were looking into the matter.
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