No effective measures have yet been taken to ensure peace on the campus of Dhaka University, which is going to reopen on September 17 after a 48 day unscheduled closure

The university was closed sine die on July 30 when activists of two rival student groups — pro-BNP Jatlyatabadt Chhatra Dal PCD) and Awami League backed Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCD — fought a running battle on the cam pus. The university was closed a day before a scheduled procession by the DU teachers, students and members of the staff to initiate peace on the trouble torn campus ahead of the DUCSU polls due to be

held on August 5.

Vice-Chancellor Prof Moni-ruzzaman Miah is still seeking the government's cooperation In guaranteeing adequate campus security prior to reopening the university, a member of the Syndicate said. He may seek interview with the Acting President, who is also the chancellor of the universities. the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition to discuss the campus situation, the Syndicate member said

He said the VC was maintaining a low profile on the matter. The Syndicate member quoted the VC saying that he (VC) was in contact with the

leaders of political parties both In the government and In the opposition following their commitments not to harbour terrorism on the campus.

Another Syndicate member said that the VC had told him that the Syndicate members would be informed of the outcome of his efforts at a meeting to be convened soon

Since the closure of the university on July 30. various organisations. and quarters concerned repeatedly urged the government and the political parties to take a joint move to end campus terrorism which had already been identi-fted as a political Issue During the closure of the university, the VC on several occasions sought cooperation of the government and the political parties containing terrorism on the campus. He was determined not to reopen the university unless he was assured of campus security. But he did not get the expected response" from the concerned quarters and was finally compelled to take the reopening decision under "pressure".

Addressing a group of students. pressing for Immediate reopening of the university, he justified his reopening decision by saying that nobody could fully guarantee a violence-free campus. He told the students agitating In front of his office that campus violence was a long standing problem and it would take time to be eliminated.

Police carried out no special drive against the campus terrorists. A few campus terrorists were arrested under the country wide "Operation Doorbar' but the majority remained active on the campuses, police said.

Meanwhile, formation of a parliamentary Committee with both treasury and opposition bench members, -proposed on June 12 to find out ways for checking campus violence is yet to take shape. Besides, the grand conference of government and political leaders had forged a consensus on the urgency of containing campus

violence, but no action followed.

The DU authorities are Scanning measures to check resh entrance of armed activists to the residential halls before reopening them to students.

The 14 halls were vacated by the students on July 31 and entrance will be permitted from September 16.

The hall authorities would take strict measures against outsiders residing 1n the halls, a hall provost said. The VC will call a Joint meeting of the hall provosts to launch the measures before their reopening, the provost said.

The Vice-Chancellor could not be contacted to comment on the issue.

President of the DU Teachers Association Prof Anwar-ullah Choudhury commenting on the reopening said the university could not be remained closed for an Indefinite period. The DUTA asked the concerned authorities for effective steps for campus security before reopening, he said.