PUST teachers demand punishment to culprits

The authorities of Pabna University of Science and Technology (PUST) could not resume classes yesterday as the teachers started a two-day work abstention demanding action against the culprits who assaulted a teacher on Saturday.
That day the university authorities suspended classes till June 24 as a clash between the activists of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) and Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal left 10 people injured on the campus.
The classes were to resume yesterday as June 25 was holiday on the occasion of Shab-e-Barat.
“We could not resume classes today [Wednesday] as the teachers of the university started work abstention protesting assault on a colleague during the clash between BCL and JCD on June 22,” said Md Kamruzzaman, proctor of the university.
BCL activists beat up JCD activist Md Jubayer Hossain of economics department of the university when he was attending a class conducted by Md Enamul Haque, teacher of the department, on Saturday.
The activists had assaulted Enamul Haque before they dragged Jubayer out of the class and beat him, university sources said.
Protesting the university authorities' 'negligence' about taking action against the perpetrators, teachers at an urgent meeting on Saturday decided to observe work abstention on Wednesday and Thursday.
“The teachers demanded taking action against the attackers but the authorities threatens to suspend the teachers for making the demand,” said a teacher seeking anonymity.
If the university authorities fail to take proper step by Thursday, tougher agitation will be taken, said another teacher.
Supporting the teachers' demand, JCD brought out a procession in Pabna Bus terminal area and moved towards the university campus but police prevented them.
“As we could not go to the campus we held a protest meeting in the terminal area,” said SM Rafiuzzaman, an organiser of JCD.
Contacted, Md Mizanur Rahman Sabuj, president of PUST unit of BCL, said, "JCD men opened fire and hurled cocktails outside the university to create panic. BCL men chased them."