Anti-VC teachers' strike hampers JU academic activities

Academic activities at Jahangirnagar University (JU) have been hampered as a faction of pro-Awami League teachers continued a strike for the second consecutive day today protesting the alleged assault on their fellow teachers by another faction.

Both the factionshave been accusing each other of "physical assault".

Putting the main entrances under lock and key, the teachers,who are protesting the violation of the university acts, statutes and syndicate by the current Vice Chancellor Prof Farzana Islam, took position in front of two administrative buildings since morning.

Some classes and examinations were held amid the protest, reports our JU correspondent from the campus.

The protesting teachersare continuing the strike today demanding punishment to the “attackers” and resignation of the university proctor, the correspondent reports.

They also rejected the committee formed to investigate yesterday’s alleged attack incident on the campus and demanded for a judicial inquiry.

The teachers will hold a human chain in front of the registrar building later in the day, the correspondent said.

It was alleged that the same faction yesterday padlocked the university's transport office when the other group consisting of around 15 teachers loyal to the VC assaulted them, leaving all six injured.

One of the allegations of the anti-VC group is that VC Farzana forcibly "removed" nine hall provosts on April 11 by exercising special rights, and appointed new ones.

According to the statute, the provost of a hall shall be appointed by the syndicate. But the VC appointed new provosts without the syndicate's approval, they alleged.

The teachers also alleged that VC appointed those who had been involved in controversial activities on the campus.

However, Prof Farzana denied all the allegations.

Moreover, a three-member probe body was formed to investigate the incident and submit its report within the next seven workdays.