Resolve stalemate by today or face tougher agitation

Handing over a memorandum to the university registrar they threatened to lock all the departments and offices including stoppage of transport vehicles.

Earlier, they brought out a procession on the campus. Processionists chanted slogans demanding immediate resumption of classes. They also urged the chancellor to take all the examinations without further delay. They sought intervention of Prime Minister Khelada Zia to resolve the stand-off and demanded appointment of a new vice-chancellor in the interest of 9,000 students.

Different student organisations have extended their support to their demand, campus sources said.

Classes and examinations were suspended following non-cooperation of Islamic University Teachers' Association (IUTA) with the university authorities since July 19.

However, all the offices, halls and library remained open.

Teachers having political affiliations with different political ideologies were demanding appointment of a new vice-chancellor from among themselves after Prof Rafiqul Islam, the 8th vice chancellor resigned in face of agitation by the Jatyiatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) on June 22. He 'annoyed' the JCD men by refusing to fulfill their demand for recruitment of at least 200 JCD men in the university.

Treasurer Prof Anwarul Karim was asked to continue the financial and administrative duties of vice-chancellor on July 10.

But the crisis was not resolved rather, it took a new turn after appointment of Prof Karim as the acting VC on July 18.

IUTA started non-cooperation with him as their demand for appointment of the new VC from among the teachers went unheeded.