IU stalemate drags on

The authorities concerned are yet to take any steps to end the nearly three-month-long deadlock at Islamic University (IU) in Kushtia.
The offices are open but they look desolate as teaches and most of the officials and employees have refrained from going to campus since September 8 due to the deadlock that followed controversy over appointment of 132 teachers and officials in the university on September 7.
Islamic University Teachers Association (IUTA) began agitation on September 8 demanding removal of the vice chancellor, pro-vice chancellor and treasurer for their alleged involvement in irregularities in the recruitment of the teachers and officials
Registrar office sources said Vice Chancellor Prof Alauddin left the campus on November 20, taking four days' leave. Pro-Vice Chancellor Prof Kamal Uddin has been on 13 days' leave since November 20 and Treasurer Prof Shahajahan Ali has remained absent since November 20. But they all came to the university on November 27 to appear before a three-member probe body and left the campus on the day.
Though Pro-Vice Chancellor Prof Kamal Uddin is supposed to rejoin office on December 3, VC and treasurer did not come to the campus as of yesterday. When contacted over cellphone, VC Alauddin said he is in Dhaka on an emergency work. Treasurer Prof Shahajahan Ali declined to make any comment on the issue.
On the other hand, IUTA leaders yesterday urged the registrar not to send any file to the VC, Pro-VC and treasurer as the three what they said unwanted on the campus. As part of their agitation, they have been continuing sit-in in front of the administrative building since November 12.
Addressing a teachers' rally at the venue yesterday, IUTA President Prof Yakub Ali urged the government to take immediate steps to end the three-month-long deadlock at the university.
The rally was addressed, among others, by Islamic University Bangbandhu Parishad General Secretary Dr Ruhul Kuddus Saleh, IUTA General Secretary ASM Tariqul Islam, Prof Matiur Rahman, Prof Mahbubur Rahman, Prof Mizanur Rahman, and Dr Baku Billah.
They speakers demanded immediate appointment of honest and competent persons as new vice chancellor, pro-vice chancellor and treasurer, removing the present ones.