Islamic University closed sine die:Daily Sun

Student protesters of Islamic University in Kushtia torch a number of vehicles on Sunday after one of their fellows was run over by a passenger bus the same day. banglar chokh The authorities closed the Islamic University (IU) in Kushtia for an indefinite period as the death of a student of the university in a road accident triggered violent protests on the campus on Sunday. The agitating students
torched and vandalised at least 30 buses and clashed with police on the campus. They also blocked Kushtia-Khulna highway for three and a half hours, vandalised the university’s administration building and hurled brick chips at the residence of Vice-chancellor Abdul Hakim Sarker. Later, the university authorities declared it closed for an indefinite period. Witnesses said Touhidur Rahman Titu, 22, a third year student of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering Department, was boarding a Jhenidah-bound university bus at the main entrance of the university at about 12 noon when another bus hit him from behind. As he fell on the ground, the bus crushed him under its wheels, leaving him death on the spot. Soon after the incident, students of IU blocked the Kushtia-Khulna highway and started vandalising vehicles. As the news spread on the campus, fellow students staged violent protests. They set fire to several hired buses of the university parked beside the main entrance of the university. Afterwards, they torched more buses parked beside the medical bhaban bus stand. At one stage, angry students ransacked administration building, science and technology building, central library, TSC and some other office buildings. They also hurled brick chips at the residence of vice chancellor but he was at his office during the time. On information, huge contingent of police rushed to the campus. Sporadic clashes occurred between police and students as cops tried to control the situation. Police charged batons and lobbed teargas canisters to disperse the agitating students. The students threw brick chips at police prompting the law enforcers to fire 150 rubber bullets which left 20 students injured, including six with bullets. They took primary treatment at the university medical centre. Later, the authorities of IU declared the university closed for an indefinite period. The students have been asked to vacate their dormitories by 10:00am today (Monday). VC Abdul Hakim Sarker said after an emergency meeting, the authorities have decided to shut the university to avert further violence. TM Lokman Hakim, IU proctor, said the students attacked the academic building and torched at least 30 buses, some of which were hired by the university to transport them. The agitating students also blocked the Kushtia-Jhenidah road. Dr Anwarul Haque, a professor of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering Department, said, “Titu was a talented student of our department. We are speechless following his death. We want exemplary punishment to those responsible for the accident.” Some students alleged that transport workers were attacking students at various places, including Chourhas intersection and Arabpur intersection, while they were returning home after the closure of the university. Meanwhile, an organisation of Kushtia’s bus owners has called for an indefinite transport strike in protest against the vandalism and arson attack on vehicles on the campus. “We have enforced the strike demanding compensation for the damaged vehicles. We will continue the strike until the university authorities do not meet our demand,” said Rokonuzzaman, president of Jhenidah Bus-Minibus Owners Association. A six-member probe committee led by former Pro-Vice Chancellor of IU Prof Dr Kamal Uddin was formed by the IU authority. The others members of the committee Prof Dr Ruhul K M Saleh, Prof Dr Mahbubul Arifin, Prof Dr Abdus Shahid Mian, Prof Dr Ikbal Hossain and deputy registrar Abdul Latif. The committee has been asked to submit its report within 21 days. Abdul Hakim Sarker, vice-chancellor of IU, confirmed the matter at about 7:30pm on Sunday.