BUET students demand justice over attack by 'outsiders', probes launched

Students of the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology or BUET have demonstrated against attack by 'outsiders' on their peers.

Tarek Hasan Nirjhorbdnews24.com
Published : 30 Oct 2017, 09:50 PM
Updated : 30 Oct 2017, 09:50 PM

They stayed away from classes on Sunday and Monday and resolved to press ahead with the protests to realise an eight-point charter of demand, which includes bringing those involved in the attack to justice.

After a demonstration blocking the street in front of the Shaheed Minar on their campus on Monday, they submitted a memorandum on the demands to the authorities.

Partha Prateem Das, who is coordinating the protests, said all the students of the university support their programmes.

Students attached with Dhaka University's Shaheed Sergeant Zahurul Haque Hall clashed with BUET students on Friday following an operation by the latter to drive away outsiders from their campus.

Dhaka University has formed a committee to investigate the same incident.

Zahurul Haque Hall Residential Teacher Abdur Rahim, who is heading the three-member investigation committee, said, "We want to identify the real culprits."

The committee has been given a week to submit a report.

The investigators said they have already interviewed four of those 'involved in the attack'.

Some of the students involved in the incident are allegedly members of Bangladesh Chhatra League.

Zahurul Haque Hall BCL General Secretary Asif Talukder said he was not aware of any member of his unit being involved in the attack.

"I want punishment of those responsible for the incident. If someone is found guilty, he will not be given any post in our organisation," he said.

BUET is also investigating the issue, but is yet to form any committee.

BUET Directorate of Students' Welfare Director Satya Prasad Majumder told bdnews24.com on Monday they will form a committee after their vice-chancellor returns from abroad. 

At least five students of BUET were injured in Friday's clash.

Satya said they started a case against several people, including 'Raju', the son of an employee of BUET, at Chawkbazar Police Station the same night.

Dhaka University Proctor AKM Golam Rabbani said BUET and DU decided to investigate the incident separately.

He said the authorities were also mulling over formation of a 'common security setup' for DU, BUET and Dhaka Medical College.

"Our vice-chancellor has spoken to BUET VC," he added.