Rajshahi University (RU) authorities yesterday blamed the local businessmen for last Tuesday's clash between students and businessmen, including transport workers, that left 60 people, including teachers, students and policemen, injured.
Following the clash, RU authorities closed the university indefinitely on Wednesday and asked the resident students to vacate all 16 dormitories by 12:00pm on the same day.
A university high official yesterday told newsman that local businessmen and some outsiders were involved in a heated exchange with the students and teachers on the spot.
The attackers also ransacked the residence of the provost and beat up a number of general students on that night.
Student Adviser Faridul Islam Pintu, also seriously injured in the clash, alleged that local businessmen misbehaved with the students and beat up them.
For the reason, the students grew angry with the businessmen, he said, adding that the authorities closed the university sine die considering security of the students.
Pintu further said following the unscheduled closure, students will face a fresh session jam. But after reopening the university, the authorities will reduce various vacations and take classes and examination quickly.
On Friday night, RCC mayor-elect AHM Khairuzzaman Liton along with businessmen and ward commissioners met RU Vice Chancellor (VC) Prof Mamnunul Keramat at his residence and called on him to reopen the university by August 28.
He also demanded exemplary punishment to the students responsible for the incident and compensation for the injured.
During the meeting, RU Treasurer Prof Mozammel Haque, Registrar Prof Muhammad Shafi, Proctor Enamul Haque, faculty deans, hall provosts, departmental heads and syndicate members were present.
The VC gave them a patient hearing and assured that the authorities will take necessary steps to reopen the university soon.
On the other hand, teachers and students of the university called on the authorities to reopen the university and its halls immediately.
Former RU syndicate member Prof Fayekuzzman told this correspondent that the authorities closed the university to avoid the demonstrations of the students on August 22 on the campus.
RU authorities have fully failed to tackle the situation and closure is the not solution to the problems, he said, adding that the authorities can solve the problems to keep open the university.
Prof Muhammad Anwar Hossain, exam controller of RU, expressed concern over its unscheduled closure and said the university will face another fresh three-month's session jam due to the closure.
He also said university has already experienced one year's session jam in arts faculty and two year's jam in science faculty.
VC office sources said VC Prof Mamnunul Keramat went to Dhaka yesterday to hold a meeting with the education ministry about reopening of the university.