JU crisis takes new turn

The situation at Jahangirnagar University (JU) took a new turn since Saturday when Vice-Chancellor Prof Anwar Hossain joined office after around a one-month sick leave, but said he would be carrying out his duties from a rented house in the capital's Uttara.
Officials of the administrative building say they have fallen into a quagmire as agitating teachers have been keeping the building locked since November 20, when the VC went on the leave, and the VC was threatening to sack the officials if they did not send the files he asked for.
Talking to The Daily Star yesterday, Prof Anwar said legal steps as per the university ordinance would be taken against the teachers who had locked up the administrative building and his official residence on the campus.
Protesting the VC's return, the teachers threw the circular of his joining office in a dustbin during a rally before the administrative building yesterday.
“The VC has no authority to carry out tasks from outside the campus and misuse university funds,” they added.     
Under the banner “Shikkhak-Shikkharthi-Karmarata Karmachari Oikya Forum” (Teachers-Students-Employees Unity Forum), the protesters have been demanding the VC panel election shortly after JU chancellor, also the president, on November 6 gave decisions on four issues including that of holding the VC panel election immediately.