PUST students boycott programme alleging committee secy's Shibir link

A section of 'general students' in Pabna University of Science and Technology (PUST) have boycotted the authorities' weeklong programmes marking the National Mourning Day, in protest against a 'pro-Islami Chhatra Shibir' official's selection as secretary of the 'mourning day observation committee' at PUST.
The students also announced their own programme today, in observance of the National Mourning Day on the university campus.
Authorities formed National Mourning Day observation committee with RU Proctor Md Kamruzzaman as the secretary while the agitating students said the proctor is former vice president of Motihar Hall unit of Islami Chhatra Shibir in Rajshahi University, PUST sources said.
The proctor, on the other hand, said, “I never belonged to Shibir in my university life. Some people backed by the ruling party men are blaming me because sometimes I have to take administrative decisions that seem harsh to many.”
Organisers of the students' programme said the proctor asked them to cancel the programme that general students organised to pay homage to Bangabandhu.
They vowed to hold the programme and said it is their democratic right.
They, however, sought anonymity, fearing 'under-marking' by teachers, especially in the practical examinations.
Asked about the matter, the proctor said, ""Students organised a meeting and Iftar party on the university campus on August 16. They mentioned the vice chancellor and other teachers as guests there but the teachers concerned were not informed earlier. On behalf of the university administration I asked the students the legality of their programme as they did not inform the authority earlier."
When contacted, secretary of the district unit of Bangladesh Chhatra League Rafikul Islam Rumon said, "It is a matter of sorrow that a pro-Shibir teacher has been selected in the August 15 programme committee and he is creating pressure on the students to cancel their programme. The university authority should take action."
This correspondent tried to contact with Vice Chancellor Dr Mozaffar Hossain for his version but he did not receive his cell phone.