DU teachers demand acquittal of their colleagues, students
Thursday, 13 December 2007
Teachers of the Dhaka University demanded Wednes-day acquittal of all detained teachers and students of the university now in jail following the August 20-22 student unrest on and around the campus.
"Today, a group of general teachers met the vice-chancellor (VC). They demanded acquittal of the detained teachers and students," acting Dean of Social Sciences Faculty Prof. AAMS Arefin Siddique told UNB Wednesday evening.
A Dhaka court framed charges against four Professors and 15 students in two cases accusing them of involving in the August 20-22 campus unrest violating the Emergency Powers Rules.
Campus sources said VC Prof. Dr SMA Faiz has requested the families of the detained teachers to file writ petitions in the High Court seeking their bails.
Asked about the VC's advice, Prof. Arefin, also an executive committee member of the Dhaka University Teachers' Association (DUTA), said the university teachers want to see their colleagues and students completely free of all charges.
He said DUTA expressed the hope that the teachers and students would attend classes immediately with no charges against them.
"As the government is the plaintiff of the cases, it can withdraw the cases at any stage and this is very much within the purview of the due process," Prof. Arefin said.
Asked if the government does not implement its assurance of releasing the teachers and students, he said then the teachers association will review its decision on postponing its previous agitation programme.
"The teachers' association had postponed its agitation programme following the government's assurance that the teachers and students will be released by the Eid-ul-Azha. We want implementation of the government's assurance in time," he said.
"Today, a group of general teachers met the vice-chancellor (VC). They demanded acquittal of the detained teachers and students," acting Dean of Social Sciences Faculty Prof. AAMS Arefin Siddique told UNB Wednesday evening.
A Dhaka court framed charges against four Professors and 15 students in two cases accusing them of involving in the August 20-22 campus unrest violating the Emergency Powers Rules.
Campus sources said VC Prof. Dr SMA Faiz has requested the families of the detained teachers to file writ petitions in the High Court seeking their bails.
Asked about the VC's advice, Prof. Arefin, also an executive committee member of the Dhaka University Teachers' Association (DUTA), said the university teachers want to see their colleagues and students completely free of all charges.
He said DUTA expressed the hope that the teachers and students would attend classes immediately with no charges against them.
"As the government is the plaintiff of the cases, it can withdraw the cases at any stage and this is very much within the purview of the due process," Prof. Arefin said.
Asked if the government does not implement its assurance of releasing the teachers and students, he said then the teachers association will review its decision on postponing its previous agitation programme.
"The teachers' association had postponed its agitation programme following the government's assurance that the teachers and students will be released by the Eid-ul-Azha. We want implementation of the government's assurance in time," he said.