Academic activities at Chittagong University (CU) virtually stopped due to an indefinite siege on the campus yesterday enforced by Progressive Student Alliance (PSA).

No classes were held at the university but scheduled tests of some departments were held despite the programme of the PSA, a forum of pro-left Bangladesh Chhatra Union, Samajtantrik Chhatra Front and Bangladesh Chhatra Federation.

Protesting Thursday's attack on its leaders by Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal activists, the PSA enforced the siege while Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) ran a parallel programme to support the PSA.

Meanwhile, Chittagong University Teachers Association (Cuta) at an emergency meeting announced an indefinite work abstention programme from yesterday. It also demanded expulsion of Islamic Chhatra Shibir (ICS) cadres who assaulted finance department Lecturer Akhter Hossain Piaru near the central playground Friday afternoon.

The Cuta meets again today to sketch out their next course of action.

Students of the Institute of Forestry and Environmental Science (IFES) meanwhile started a three-day class and examination boycott programme yesterday to protest Thursday's attack on their six students by the ICS activists.

The CU authorities formed two committees to probe the attack on the IFES students and Akhter. Fearing further clashes, resident students of different halls have started leaving dormitories.