Students lock CU adm building over pro-VC's remarks

CHATTOGRAM, Dec 15 (UNB): Students of Chittagong University (CU) on Monday locked the university's administrative building demanding the removal of Pro-Vice Chancellor (Academic) Prof Mohammad Shamim Uddin Khan for his alleged controversial remarks over the killings of intellectuals in 1971.

Under the banner of Sarbadaliya Chhatra Oikya, the students padlocked all gates of the administrative building around 12:00 noon, protesting his remarks denying the role of Pakistani occupation forces in the killing of intellectuals during the Liberation War.

Acting Registrar Prof Mohammad Saiful Islam, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Academic) Prof Mohammad Shamim Uddin Khan, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Administration) Prof Md Kamal Uddin and Controller of Examinations Prof Momtaz Uddin Ahmed were inside the building at that time.

The building remained locked as of filing this report in the afternoon.

The students demanded an unconditional apology and resignation of Prof Shamim Uddin Khan.

CU unit Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal Joint General Secretary Jalal Uddin said they locked the administrative building in protest against Prof Shamim Uddin's remarks on the martyred intellectuals.

"If he does not apologise unconditionally, we will continue to press for his resignation," he said.

Sumaiya Sikder, a representative of Nari Angan, condemned the remarks, saying such comments were unacceptable from an academic. "His statement has demeaned the Liberation War and the martyred intellectuals. We demand his resignation so that no one dares to make such remarks in future."