Forcibly Cutting Hair: Probe report on Farhana submitted

The probe body formed to investigate into the incident of forcefully cutting students' hair at Sirajganj's Rabindra University has submitted its report on Thursday afternoon, though its findings are yet to be revealed.

"We have taken statements of over 50 witnesses -- including teachers, officers, departmental employees, cleaners, and students, including the 14 victims whose hair were cut," Laila Fardous Himel, head of the probe body and chair of the Rabindra studies department, told The Daily Star.

Asked about the details of the report, she commented, "This is confidential. University syndicate committee will disclose the findings later."

However, Farhana Yeasmin Baten, former chair of the Department of History and Cultural Heritage, who allegedly cut the students' hair, did not appear before the probe body.

"We waited till 3pm on Thursday [October 21] for the self-defence statement of the accused teacher, but she didn't appear before the investigation committee," said Laila Fardous.

Talking to The Daily Star, Md Abdul Latif, treasurer of the university and also acting vice chancellor, said, "In the syndicate meeting, we will take a decision about the accused teacher."

A syndicate meeting over the report was held in the evening yesterday but no decision has been taken yet, he said.

"She was given two dates for her comments but she didn't appear before us. So, we have submitted the report without her comment," she added.

On September 26, Farhana Yeasmin Baten allegedly asked university employees to cut the hair of male students who had long hair before they entered examination halls. One of the students tried to die by suicide following the incident.  The university authorities formed the five-member probe committee headed by Laila Fardous on September 28.