At least 15, including six teachers of Begum Rokeya University in Rangpur, were injured on Thursday as a Chhatra League faction loyal to the vice-chancellor threw acid at and beat teachers and students rallying for the removal of the vice-chancellor.
The authorities at night closed the university for an indefinite period.
Chhatra League activists loyal to the vice-chancellor Abdul Zalil Miah attacked the teachers and students who had been on strike, and were rallying on the campus, for an indefinite period since Sunday demanding an immediate resignation of the vice-chancellor.
At least 15, including the six teachers, were injured in the attack that took place on the campus about 10:30am.
Two of the teachers who sustained acid burns associate professor of management Matiur Rahman and lecturer in Bengali Tuhin Wadud, were sent to Rangpur Medical College Hospital.
The hospital’s director in-charge Golam Mostafa said that portions of faces of the two teachers had been burnt with acid. But there is, however, no fears for the eyes being damaged. ‘We have moved them to cabins for better treatment.’
Other teachers who were injured are associate professor
M Hafizur Rhaman and associate professor Apel Mahamood, professor Golam Rabbani and professor Sonowar Siraj
Hafizur Rhaman said that teachers along with students teamed up as Sachetan Shikkhak Samaj went on strike for an indefinite period on Sunday demanding the removal of the vice-chancellor for ‘corruption and irregularities.’
‘We set up a stage in front of the administrative building and sat in there to push for our demands. A faction of the Chhatra League, loyal to the vice-chancellor, attacked us and damaged the PA system about 10:30am,’ he said.
‘They splashed battery acid on the teachers and students who were on the stage. They also beat up the teachers and students, who ran for shelter. But 15 of them, including six teachers, were injured in the attack,’ he added.
Soon after the attack, the teachers and students began a fast-unto-death at the main entrance to the campus demanding an immediate removal of the vice-chancellor. They shouted slogans against the vice-chancellor and demanded arrest of the attackers.
The district unit Chhatra League president, Dhanajit Ghosh Taposh brushed aside the allegations against activists of his organisation being involved in the attack.
He said that the Chhatra League was not responsible for the attack as there is no unit of the organisation in the university
The university treasurer, Mozzammel Hoque, said, ‘It is very unfortunate that the teachers became to be attacked and that too with acid.’
The Kotwali police officer-in-charge (investigation), Abdul Latif Miah, said that the situation was under control and no case was filed till evening.
He said that police deployment was reinforced in and around the campus.