Awami League leaders in Sirajganj close down college

Leaders of the ruling Awami League in Sirajganj have closed down a local college as the management did not heed their 'preference' when appointing the principal.

The Kurhiparha College at Sadar Upazila's Ratankandi Union has been closed down for a week now, forcing the college authorities to suspend classes and exams.

The college's Lecturer Zahirul Islam said the college, which was founded in 1999, is yet to be included under the government's MPO (monthly pay order) programme.

Educational institutions, covered by MPO, receive financial support from the government to pay salaries and perks to teachers and employees.

Islam said that on Nov 21, UP Chairman Golam Mostafa Khokon and the local Awami League unit's President Abdul Muktadir Bokul closed down the college's offices.

"Then on Nov 26, while the qualifying tests to appear the HSC exams were underway, they drove off the students and locked out all the class rooms," said Islam, who teaches history at the college.

Acting Principal Rabiul Karim said that the UP chairman and Awami League leaders want their preferred candidate to be appointed. "They have locked the down the college as the managing committee and the staff protested it."

UP Chairman Khokon, however, said the local Awami League chief was responsible.

"I do not sit on the college's body. He (AL president Bokul) was responsible for everything. If you have any queries, please ask him," he told bdnews24.com.

Bokul admitted to shutting down the college. His logic; it's imperative to appoint a principal following proper procedures as the college was to be included in the MPO programme.

"The managing body, in collusion with the teachers and staff, did not interview candidates despite fixing dates on several occasions.

"The college authorities did not respond to our calls to solve the matter. So it has been locked out," said the president of the ruling party's Ratankandi unit.

 The managing committee's President Azhar Ali said they wanted to appoint a principal after the college's inclusion in the MPO programme. "But the Awami League leaders have been pressing to appoint their preferred candidate."

It has been almost two week since the crisis began and District Education Officer Md Shafiullah claims he came to know of it only on Saturday.

"I have asked the acting principal to meet me (on Sunday). Will inform the higher authorities after getting the details from him," he said on Saturday.