Teachers of KUET go on strike after teacher dies

The teachers of Khulna University of Engineering and Technology have called for abstention from academic activities as one of their colleagues died hours after his confinement by the Chhatra League activists on Tuesday.

Prof Selim Hossain, of the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at the university, was tortured mentally while he was confined, alleged the teachers.

The decision of abstention, protest meeting and black badge-wearing programmes came from a meeting of the KUET Teachers' Association yesterday afternoon, said Pratik Chandra Biswas, president of the association.

He said they would be boycotting academic activates until a solution occurs reviewing the CCTV footage, the president said.

A group of 40-50 students, led by Sadman Nahyan Sejan, general secretary of KUET Chhatra League, intercepted Prof Selim on the campus road around 12:30pm on Tuesday.

General students and teachers alleged that the BCL activists tortured him mentally over the selection of the dining manager for December of the Lalon Shah Hall.

Prof Selim was the provost of that hall. He was appointed around nine months ago.

A CCTV footage of the incident showed several students entering the teacher's room around 12:30pm on Tuesday and they came out after 40 minutes.

Rita Khanam, the victim's wife, said that he came from the campus around 2:00pm and went to the bathroom.

Finding no response, they broke open the bathroom door and found him motionless, she said.

"He was declared dead after rushing to Khulna Medical College Hospital. He died due to cardiac arrest," she said, quoting doctors.

She said her husband had no problem or health complications other than high blood pressure.

Sadman Nahyan Sejan, general secretary of the KUET BCL, said, "I did not go there as a BCL leader. I am the member secretary of the University Student Welfare Committee.

"I went to meet him for the first time after Selim sir took charge as provost of Lalon Shah Hall and talk about various programmes in the month of victory," he said.

Prof Ismail Saifullah, director of the KUET Student's Welfare Council, said a three-member investigation committee was formed on Tuesday night to investigate the matter.