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PM steps in to end JU crisis

VC 'may have to goanti-VC teachers postpone agitation

Staff Correspondent
The teachers of Jahangirnagar University (JU) who had been demanding removal of the vice-chancellor yesterday postponed their demonstration on assurance from the prime minister that she would look into the matter.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday talked separately to both factions of JU teachers in an effort to end the ongoing deadlock over the demand of the vice-chancellor's resignation.
Prime Minister's Office sources told The Daily Star last night that the controversial VC, Prof Shariff Enamul Kabir, would have to step down eventually.
“After getting the [anti-VC] teachers' views, the prime minister hinted at either removal or resignation of the present VC," a PMO source said, requesting anonymity.
Prof Rayhan Rhine, who was present at the meeting, said the premier had assured them of a "happy solution" to bring an end to the ongoing standoff.
“You keep trust on me. You will obviously be happy with my initiative on the situation at your university,” Prof Rayhan of Philosophy department quoted Hasina as saying in the meeting.
Meanwhile, the pro-VC teachers and students, who had set up a camp on the main entrance of the VC's residence on the campus, left the spot around 2:00am today, said Sina Hasan, an anti-VC campaigner.
However, the students and two teachers on fast-unto-death remained firm on their decision to continue with the strike until the VC is removed.
The university goes on one month's summer vacation from today.
At both the meetings with teachers, Hasina said she would take a decision in consultation with the chancellor of the university; that is President M Zillur Rahman.
Sources said both the factions of teachers were
asked to meet the prime minister as part of the government's initiative to bring normalcy on the campus.
A group of 12 teachers of the anti-VC camp, Shikkhak Samaj, met Hasina in the morning at the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).
“We have only one demand, which is, the removal of the VC and we have informed her [the PM] ofit," said Prof Nasim Akhter Hossain, convener of Shikkhak Samaj, after the meeting.
She said they had full confidence in the PM and hence, they had called off the protest programme.
“Keep faith in me. I will not disappoint you,” Prof Nasim quoted Hasina as saying in the meeting.
Later in the evening, another group of 12 teachers led by the JU VC met the premier at PMO.
Prof Amir Hossain of economics department at JU and also a member of the pro-VC delegation told The Daily Star that the premier had listened to them and would take decision on talking to the chancellor.
“She [PM] had some enquiries and we answered to those,” he said.
Meanwhile, teachers of the pro-VC camp yesterday afternoon formed a human chain on the campus protesting the ongoing demonstration against the VC. In the morning, they brought out a procession in JU.
JU teachers sought PM's intervention when situation on the campus became critical after a section of JU students started hunger strike since Tuesday demanding removal of the VC and protesting assault on cultural activists by Chhatra League on April 28.
Shikkhak Samaj launched demonstration against the VC in December last year protesting recruitment of teachers and different irregularities on the campus. The demonstration reached the highest climax after the murder of Zubair Ahmed, a student of English department, on January 9.
Prof Amir said the prime minister also wanted to know about the university's actions against the culprits
responsible for Zubair's killing.
He said they had informed the PM of the highest punitive measures taken against the accused and it was now up to the state to try them as per the law of the country.