Our correspondent :
Protesting students of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University (BSMRSTU) came under attack by outsides on the university premises on Saturday, leaving at least 50 injured.
The incidents occurred around 12pm when the students were protesting the irregularities of Vice-Chancellor Prof Khondoker Nasiruddin defying an order to vacate the residential halls within 10am.
Students alleged that a group of outsiders, backed by the university vice-chancellor, swooped on the demonstrating students at places on the campus including Balur Math, Sobhan Sarak, Gobra Madrassah and Nilamath, leaving 50 students, including three journalists, injured.
The injured journalists are – Shafiul Kayes, campus correspondent of Bangladesh Today, Jahidul Islam, campus correspondent of Pratidin Sangbad and Tawhid Islam, campus correspondent of Career Times.
The injured could not be taken to hospitals as the transport services were halted.
However, Proctor Dr Md Bashir Uddin, denied such allegation and claiming that the teachers were trying to calm the situation.
Earlier, a notice signed by Registrar Prof Dr Md Nuruddin Ahmed said the authorities extended the Durga Puja vacation from September 22 till October 3 after consulting members of the Regent Board.
“The decision was taken to control the current situation and resolve the disagreement among groups in the university,” according to the notice.
BSMRSTU’s decision to suspended Fatema-tuz-Zinia, also the university correspondent of the Daily Sun, on September 10 for her writings on Facebook triggered the student protest.
Her suspension order was revoked on September 18 following widespread protests.
During a visit to the campus around 12:00am, this correspondent saw protesting students demanding resignation of vice chancellor.
A number of police personnel were seen on the campus. Gopalganj Sadar police station Officer-in-Charge OC Monirul Islam said BSMRSTU authorities had asked them to come to prevent any untoward situation.
Students alleged that there was no freedom of speech on the campus and that no-one could speak against irregularities of the VC.
Protesters claimed that the food deliveries to the hostels were suspended from Friday night while electricity and water supply were cut from Saturday morning.
They were later attacked by outsiders. The registrar declined to comment on the attack on students.
Meanwhile, assistant proctor of the varsity Md Humayun Kabir submitted his resignation protesting the attacks on students.
He submitted his resignation letter to the proctor in the afternoon.
When contacted, Humayun Kabir said he resigned from his post expressing solidarity with the students’ ongoing movement.
“I cannot hold this position anymore ethically after the attack on my students”, he said.
However, police said the students locked into a scuffle with the locals in front of Gobra mosque but they managed to disperse the demonstrators.
“Some police personnel were injured when students threw brick chips targeting us during the incident,” OC Monirul Islam, told media.
