SYLHET, Aug 30 (UNB): Seven teachers of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) were assaulted allegedly by leaders and activists of the university unit of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) in front of the vice-chancellor's office on Sunday morning.
Prof Sayed Shamsul Islam, convener of Mohan Muktijuddher Chetonay Udbuddho Shikkhak Parishad, a pro-Liberation teachers' forum, said a group of BCL leaders and activists had attacked a teachers' demonstration on the campus demanding removal of VC Prof Aminul Haque Bhuiyan, and physically assaulted them at about 8:30 am.
The teachers were to attend a sit-in programme in front of the Administrative Building scheduled for 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
The victims are Prof Dr Yasmeen Haque, wife of Prof Dr Muhammad Zafar Iqbal, Prof Mohammad Yunus, former president of SUST Teachers' Association, Prof Abdul Goni, incumbent general secretary of the association, Prof ANK Somaddar, Prof Sayed Shamsul Islam, Associate Prof Faruk Uddin, Mostafa Kamal Masud.
Officer-in-charge of Jalalabad Police Station Akter Hossain confirmed the incident.
According to bdnews24.com, SUST teacher and writer Muhammed Zafar Iqbal condemned the attack on the teachers by the BCL activists.
Zafar Iqbal sat alone in the university's roundabout some ten yards away from the site of the scuffle.
The Computer Science and Engineering teacher reacted sharply to the incident. "If any of those who attacked the teachers are my students, I should hang myself to death."
A popular science fiction writer, he said although he was not joining the demonstration, he 'empathised' with the agitating teachers.
"I fully support the reason why they are demonstrating. I had stopped working with this vice chancellor two months after he joined the university.
"That's because I have seen that he lies. It is not possible for me to work with someone who lies."
Reacting to the scuffle, Iqbal said, "Today was a new experience for me. I never imagined I would have to see something like this in my life.
"Although I am not killing myself, this is causing me severe psychological suffering. How could the students of our university assault their teachers and I had to see that happen sitting here?"
He alleged the VC was behind the attack. "If he thinks he can stifle the movement in this manner, he is making a mistake. The teachers are not demonstrating for positions, but to save SUST."
The teacher's platform has been demonstrating since April 12, accusing the VC of misconduct, irregularities and corruption.
However, the pro-government faction claims the movement is a conspiracy to destabilise the university.
Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid has sat with both the sides to resolve the crisis.
An order was also issued curbing the VC's powers to make appointments, assign new duties and introduce new systems.
But the movement has persisted with the VC Bhuiyan refusing to resign.
