Kushtia’s Islamic University closed indefinitely after students go berserk

The Islamic University (IU) in Kushtia has been closed indefinitely after the death of a student on the campus sparked violent protests that left at least 10 people injured.

Authorities have ordered students to clear residential halls by 10am Monday.

Proctor TM Lokman Hakim said the academic council took the decision at an emergency meeting on Sunday afternoon hours after third-year biotechnology student Towhidur Rahman Titu died.

He was killed after being caught between two buses on the campus, evoking violent protests from fellow students.

They attacked the academic building and torched at least 30 buses, some of which were hired by the university to transport them, prompting local bus owners to call for an indefinite strike.

This caused sufferings to the male students who were initially ordered to leave by Sunday evening.

The strike was later suspended until 8am Monday after talks with the university authorities, bus-minibus owners' association chief Bablu Rahman told bdnews24.com around 8:30pm.

IU teacher Mamunur Rahman, who oversees transport, said at least 10 students had been injured in clashes with police when the latter fired rubber bullets and teargas canisters.

Four of them are being treated at Kushtia Sadar Hospital and the rest at the university's medical centre.

Agitating students also blocked the Kushtia-Jhenaidah road in the afternoon disrupting traffic but were later cleared by police.

Additional police have been deployed on the campus and Kushtia Deputy Commissioner Syed Belal Hossain said they were trying to calm the situation.

A six-member investigation committee, led by Science Faculty Dean Prof Kamal Uddin, has been formed.

Vice-Chancellor Abdul Hakim Sarker said the committee had been asked to submit its findings within 21 days.