Colleagues demand expulsion of BCL leader

Jahangirnagar University Teachers' Association (Juta) yesterday demanded expulsion, within April 18, of a Bangladesh Chhatra League JU unit leader who assaulted a university lecturer on April 6.
They also urged to reform the probe body that was formed to investigate into the incident and remove the JU proctorial body as it failed to ensure security of teachers.
On the night of April 6, after hearing news that JU Pro-Vice-Chancellor Prof Afsar Ahmed sustained injuries at Shahbagh, some JU Gonojagoron Mancha activists attacked Hefajat-e Islam men who were leaving the capital after their long march.
Amid the skirmish, some BCL men had an altercation with university teachers who came to diffuse the situation. During the argument, Md Nurul Houqe, lecturer of economics department and also JU syndicate member, was allegedly attacked by Rajib Ahmed Rasel, general secretary of JU unit of pro-Awami League BCL.
According to teachers of the association, on the same night, in a meeting with representatives of teachers led by Prof Ajit Kumar Majumdar, president of Juta, JU VC Prof Anwar Hossain gave assurance of taking actions, including expulsion of Rasel.
But the VC withdrew his decision after being pressurised by BCL activists, they added.
However, in a press conference on April 8, the BCL leader denied the allegation and claimed that they had resolved the issue with the teachers.
The teachers will hold a meeting on April 21 if their demand is not met.
Meanwhile, JU unit of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal announced, at a press conference, a two-day strike on the campus from April 15 in protest of an attack on their leader by JU BCL.
On Monday, some BCL JU unit activists including vice-president Sirajul Islam Sumon attacked joint general secretary of JCD JU unit Rezaul Karim Raju with sharp knives and iron rods.