Foreign tour stalls SUST probe

The committee tasked to investigate Bangladesh Chhatra League’s factional clash at the Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) is yet to get down to business even five days after the incident.

The head of the committee, mathematics department Prof Ilias Uddin Biswas could not even say when the investigation would start as sudden foreign tour of a committee member stalled the process.

The university has been closed for an indefinite period after one person was killed in the turf war between the two factions of the ruling Awami League’s student wing last Thursday.

During exchange of fire and bombing between the factions, at least 20 others were also injured.

On the very day the university formed the three-member enquiry team headed by Prof Biswas. Other committee members are chemistry’s Professor Mohammad Yunus and Professor Nazrul Islam of business administration.

According to teachers, Professor Islam went to India with Vice-Chancellor Professor Aminul Haque Bhuiyan on Sunday morning.

Though the VC has gone on a five-day visit, the head of the probe committee could not reveal when Islam would return.

Asked about the progress of the investigation, he told bdnews24.com on Monday afternoon, “I wanted to start yesterday. But one of our members has suddenly gone on a foreign tour.”

“I had convened a meeting of the committee for Monday. But due to his absence, I had to postpone it. The authorities had not informed me about his overseas tour,” Biswas said.

On being asked when the committee could start work, he said, “In the absence of one of the members, I cannot begin. So after discussing with the other member, I have decided to start the probe once he returns from abroad.”

There has been some resentment among the teachers over the sudden foreign tour of two responsible persons of the university at this time and just ahead of the commencement of the admission process.

The VC told bdnews24.com on Saturday that efforts were on to keep the campus operational by tackling all odds.

In a video conference with Sylhet divisional commissioner and police commissioner on Monday, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina instructed them to take appropriate steps against those involved in the clash.

The university has written to the police commissioner of Sylhet seeking additional deployment for a trouble-free admission process that would start from Tuesday.

SUST acting Registrar Zubaer Ahmed Chowdhury said the additional force was sought to provide security to the admission seekers and their guardians coming from across the country.