Stalemate at CU continues for 3rd day

Visiting US Deputy Secretary of State James B Steinberg calls on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her office, left, and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia at her party office, right, in the city yesterday. Photo: PID and BNP

Academic activities of Chittagong University (CU) were hampered for the 3rd consecutive day as Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) CU unit continued indefinite strike to press home their demands, including resignation of Vice Chancellor Dr Abu Yusuf.
No class could be held due to poor presence of students. Though examinations of a few departments were held, a scheduled master's examination of zoology department had to be deferred as most of the examinees did not show up.
Meanwhile, following threat and attack on loco masters by the agitating BCL and other students the movement of shuttle trains to and from the university remained completely suspended yesterday.
Sources in Bangladesh Railway said though a sense of insecurity prevailed among the loco masters (train drivers) following Wednesday's attack on a shuttle train at Hamzarbag, they made an attempt to resume the train operation yesterday.
But, the operation had to be suspended when some BCL men and a section of agitating students attacked the shuttle train pelting stones on police and damaging windowpanes of the train engine at around 11:45pm.
When contacted, Deputy Railway Manager (DRM) Md Ibrahim Khalil said, "There were threats of putting shuttle trains on fire and our LMs (loco masters) and assistant LMs were physically assaulted on Wednesday. Yet, we were prepared to operate train under police escort. But, we were forced to suspend the train movement today (Thursday)."
CU Proctor Prof Md Jasim Uddin confirmed that the railway authorities were suggested to operate train observing the situation since the turn up of students was very low.
BCL CU unit enforced an indefinite strike following the murder of their activist Asaduzzaman, a 2nd year student of accounting department, on April 16.
General Secretary of BCL CU unit Ershad Hossain said they would continue the strike demanding trial of the murderers of Asad, Mohiuddin and Kaiser.
"We also demand resignation of the VC for his failure to ensure security of the general students, said the BCL leader.