The Rajshahi University authorities are yet to resolve the ongoing crisis that was created after the university was closed for an indefinite period following campus violence in early February.
Over 100 students of the university and several journalists were injured on February 2 after activists of the Awami League’s student wing Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), armed with firearms and backed by police, attacked the students who were protesting against fee hikes and continuation of the evening-shift master’s courses.
After a syndicate committee meeting that night, the authorities closed the university for an indefinite period and asked the resident students to vacate their dormitories by the next morning.
Though 11 days have passed after the closure, authorities are yet to take a decision to reopen the campus fearing that the students would continue their movement. Besides, there has been confusion whether the students, those accused in several cases filed over the campus violence, will return to their dormitories.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Muhammad Mizanuddin told bdnews24.com: “We want to reopen the university. But we’re worried because of the extent of violence we had witnessed that day.”
On February 3, the university administration, police and Chhatra League filed six cases with the Motihar Police Station against 105 named and 370 unidentified people, mostly general students and leaders and activists of the Left-leaning organisations, on charges of attacking a procession, creating unrest on the campus, exploding bombs and obstructing the police.
Though the VC assured of holding a meeting soon with the agitating students to resolve the crisis, but he is yet to confirm when the campus would be reopened.
The students and demonstrating students say that they want to return to the campus, but their demands should be addressed first. The general teachers are also in favour of opening the university soon.
Asaduzzaman Sumon, a fourth year student of the Management Department of the university, said: “The university authorities should reopen the university soon after meeting our genuine demands. This may help in healing students’ wounds.”
Utshab Mosaddek, a central committee member of the Chhatra Federation which is leading the students’ demonstration said: “It’s very amusing that we were attacked and again cases were lodged against us. Panic has gripped us to a certain extent.”
“We want the university administration to meet our demands and reopen the campus. If they don’t address these issues, then we’ll again stage the movement involving the general students.”
RU Teachers’ Association President Azhar Ali said that the university administration did not call them formally to resolve the ongoing deadlock. He, however, said that they would response positively if the VC sought their help.
No major headway has yet been made in the investigation into the cases of campus violence.
Police on February 5 arrested the RU BCL Vice-President Delowar Hossain and Sajeeb Ahmed, a fourth year student of the Finance and Banking Department, in connection with the violence on the campus.
Photos published in newspapers and video clips telecast by TV channels show BCL leaders and activists standing alongside the law-enforcing agencies and shooting at the agitating students on February 2.
But the police have steadfastly claimed that they had not been able to identify the accused.
Professor Khalekuzzaman, Convener of the investigation committee formed by the university over the violence, said: “We’ve only inspected the ransacked buildings. We’ve also given letters to the university staffs – who witnessed the incident – for the sake of investigation. Besides, advertisements have been published in the local newspapers seeking testimony from those who willingly want to give depositions.”
Asked whether those who were seen, in the video footages, openly brandishing firearms during the violence, could be identified, he said, “So far we could not identify anyone. If anyone is arrested, he will be called to appear before the probe panel.”
No members of the pro-government Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) have been arrested over the past one and a half years despite being often seen openly brandishing firearms and other weapons on the Rajshahi University campus.
Deputy Commissioner of the Rajshahi Metropolitan Police (RMP-East) Proloy Chichim said that police would soon start arresting the gun-toting students based on the information gathered from the two arrestees.
“Several police teams are working in the field. We hope that we’ll be able to arrest the offenders soon,’ he added.
RU Teachers’ Association President Prof Azhar Ali expressed dissatisfaction over lodging of cases against the protesting students in connection with the attack.
“No solution will come if we remain idle. If our boys commit crimes, they can be punished on logical grounds. It is very illogical that the student organisation, blessed by the university administration, will attack the general students and the offenders would go unpunished.”
In this connection, Proctor Tariqul Hasan Milon said that the registrar’s office of the university and the police administration were looking into the cases.
Source: Bd news24