Teachers' sit-in holds back SUST appointment bid

Teachers of Shajalal University of Science and Technology aligned with pro-liberation forces staged a sit-in in front of the Vive-chancellor's office yesterday protesting 'illegal appointments' in the university and resumption of classes. PHOTO: STAR

The teachers began a sit-in in front of the VC's office at 6-30 in the morning protesting what they called the 'illegal recruitment'.

They are demanding resignation of Vice-chancellor Prof Musleh Uddin Ahmed, appointment of a new VC and resumption of classes.

At about 10-30 am, SUST Proctor Dr Sajedul Karim requested the agitating teachers to withdraw the sit-in, assuring them that he would request the authorities to postpone the interview. The teachers complied with the request.

Alongside, the Sammilita Chhatra Sangram Parishad, a combine of student bodies belonging to the opposition and the local 14-partry opposition alliance also brought out separate processions and held rallied in the city demanding withdrawal of the VC and resumption of classes. Teachers aligned with the ruling party also brought out a procession on the campus for resumption of classes.

At a brief rally during the teachers' sit-in, speakers said the bid for fresh recruitment in Political Science and Public Administration departments is illegal and unjust because those appointed in 2005-2006 financial yea are yet to be included in the government's revenue budget.

They alleged that, the VC, who had resigned amid students' agitation following the killing of a student and had left the campus two months ago, managed his return under cover of JCD cadresand police. This has tarnishing the image of the university and its teachers, they said.

The Sammilita Chhatra Sangram Parishad took out a procession from the city's Madina Market area towards the university.

As the procession reached near BDR gate about 11-45, police stopped it. The students sat there blocking the Sylhet-Sunamganj road. They held a rally there and withdrew the barricade after about an hour.

SUST Registrar Jamil Ahmed Chowdhury later said the interview has been postponed.

The 14-party combine held a rally at the city's Court Point to press withdrawal of the VC and a judicial probe into the incidents that led to the killing of a student in police firing on the night of May 12.