The ongoing feud between the two factions of pro-Awami League Blue Panel teachers at Dhaka University over the assault of a professor by his colleagues may linger, with both groups taking to the street and blaming each other for the incident.

The faction loyal to former vice chancellor Prof AAMS Arefin Siddique formed a human chain at Aparajeyo Bangla yesterday, demanding immediate removal of Proctor Prof AKM Golam Rabbani for allegedly assaulting AKM Jamal Uddin, a professor of sociology.

Some students also attended the programme.

On the other hand, the loyalists of incumbent VC Prof Akhtaruzzaman yesterday announced that they would organise a human chain at the same venue today, protesting the "assault of Proctor Prof Golam Rabbani by Prof Jamal Uddin."

At yesterday's human chain, Blue Panel convener Prof Abdul Aziz said some teachers of the panel had been out to a create division in the panel since the appointment of the new VC. "Thursday's incident (of assault) is the worst development of the split, which has questioned the dignity of teachers,” he said.

He said Prof Rabbani must be removed as proctor; otherwise, they would go for tougher demonstrations.

Prof Jamal Uddin, who also attended the human chain, demanded that the Dhaka University Teachers' Association expel for life all "three professors who assaulted him".

Among others, former pro-vice chancellor (administration) Prof Shahid Akhtar Hossain, former proctor Prof M Amzad Ali, and senate members Prof AJM Shafiul Alam Bhuiyan, Prof Abul Mansur Ahmed, and Prof Baitullah Quaderee were present.

On Thursday, the proctor allegedly attacked Prof Jamal Uddin and left him with minor injuries at a Blue Panel meeting at TSC, drawing widespread criticism and condemnation. Some teachers, loyal to Prof Arefin Siddique, said the proctor was delivering a provocative speech about the former VC and was hurling abuses towards some other Blue Panel teachers before the incident of assault took place.

On the contrary, some teachers of the same panel, loyal to the incumbent VC, claimed that Prof Jamal hurled abuses towards the proctor and assaulted him.