IT is with deep shock that we read the news item highlighting the ordeals of general students at the Chittagong University. In the past two years university authorities suspended classes for no less than 151 days due to violent clashes between politically backed students organizations. In the last instance in February this year, two students were killed following a clash between Bangladesh Chhatra League and Islami Chhatra Shibir and the authorities put off all classes and examinations for 37 days. A university which should have been an ideal place for learning through free exchange of thoughts has thus been subjected to a tug of war between different students' organizations, leaving the general students at their mercy.

The serene atmosphere of Chittagong University, being surrounded by green hills and thickly planted trees should have been ideal for intellectual pursuit. It ought to have infused the spirit of tolerance in students who come here to pursue their dreams. But when the power-hungry students' groups lock themselves in fights which often turn fatal, they sully the sacred ground of the university, showing complete disregard for the purpose they had entered its portals.

We are also shocked to find out that the authority has yet to mete out punishment to any of the culprits who were involved in the incident. We demand the authorities' immediate intervention to stop clashes as well as bring all accused in previous cases to trial. We also urge them to make the central student's union functional so that competent students can lead and involve students with creative, social and cultural activities.

It is truly disheartening to know that a large number of teachers are also involved in politics rather than in research and intensive teaching activities. Instead of assuming the role of a torchbearer, some of them exert influence over students' groups. If teachers are not in constant pursuit of knowledge; if they do not open new frontiers in advancing the society, then how will their students