Teacher, journo assaulted: CU withdraws suspension of 6 students, reduces punishment for 3 others

Chittagong University (CU) has withdrawn the two-year suspension order for six out of nine female students, who were suspended over allegations of assaulting a teacher and harassing a journalist.

The suspension period for the remaining three students has been reduced to six months from two years by the university administration.

The decision was made yesterday during a meeting of the university's Board of Residence, Health and Disciplinary Committee.

Confirming the development, CU Pro-Vice Chancellor (Administration) Professor Dr Kamal Uddin told The Daily Star that the suspension orders for the six students were withdrawn as they admitted their wrongdoing and apologised.

The other three have been given a six-month suspension, effective from February 13, he said.

During this suspension period, if any of the students participate in exams, their results will be considered invalid. Initially, their dormitory seats have also been cancelled, he added.

One of the suspended students, Sumaiya Sikder, said, "I didn't do anything wrong in the February 5 incident, nor did I misbehave with any teacher. Why should I admit guilt? The administration has pardoned those who admitted guilt. Since we didn't, we received a six-month suspension. We haven't received the official letter yet; once we do, we will decide our next steps."

On February 5, allegations surfaced of teachers being assaulted and journalists being harassed following the vandalism of the boat symbol and the mural of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina at the university's Bijoy 24 (formerly Sheikh Hasina) Hall.

Following a Syndicate meeting on February 13, the university administration had permanently expelled one student and suspended nine others for two years.

The six students whose suspension orders were withdrawn are Elisa Swarna Chowdhury (Department of Oceanography), Umme Habiba Brishti (Department of Criminology), Fawzia Ahmed Polly Majumder (Department of Communication and Journalism), Farzana Yasmin Putul (Department of Banking and Insurance), Fatematuz Ashfia Nahar Esha (Institute of Fine Arts), and Maisara Jahan Isha (Department of Oceanography).

The three students who remain suspended for six months are Rojatul Jannat Nisha (Department of Criminology), Jannatul Mawa Mithila (Department of Criminology), and Mosammat Sumaiya Sikder (Department of Marketing).

Additionally, the permanent expulsion of Afshana Enayet Emi, a student from the Department of Law, has been upheld for allegedly assaulting an assistant proctor.