At least 15 teachers and officers of Islamic University (IU) in Kushtia were injured in an attack by opponents during a human chain on the campus yesterday.

Each of the university's pro-Awami League (AL) teachers and officers' organisation Bangabandhu Parishad and teachers' organization Shapla Forum are divided into two groups, campus sources said.

They have been demonstrating since April 1, one faction demanding removal of IU Vice Chancellor (VC) Prof Dr Abdul Hakim Sarker and the other demanding the same for Pro-VC Prof Dr

Shahinoor Rahman, alleging corruption and irregularities against the two key persons of the university, they said.

The faction belonging to the VC announced a human chain programme at the campus yesterday demanding removal of the pro-VC, apparently as counter of the other faction's similar programme demanding the VC's removal onTuesday.

Around ll:00:am yesterday, over two hundred teachers and officers, demonstrating under the banners of Bangabandhu Parishad and Shapla Forum in front of the lU's administrative building, came under attack by intruders carrying

firearms, sharp weapons and bamboo sticks, witnesses said.

The attackers mercilessly beat up and hurled brickbats on the demonstrating teachers and officers, leaving 15 injured.

The injured include Assistant Registrar Mir Morshedur Rahman, also organizing secretary of the Bangabandhu Parishad faction loyal to the VC, Deputy Registrar Harunur Rashid, Monirul Islam and Rezul Karim.

They were rushed to university medical centre. From there, badly injured Mir Morshedur Rahman was shifted to Kushtia General Hospital.

Several leaders of the

university's Chhatra League units were allegedly among the attackers.

President of Shapla Forum faction Prof Dr Mahbubul Arfin alleged that the pro-VC had arranged the attack on the human chain, bringing a large number of outsiders to the campus.

Denying the allegation, Pro-VC Shahinoor Rahman said, “A vested interest group has been conspiring against me and illegally demanding my removal."

Terming the attack 'unexpected and unfortunate', IU Vice Chancellor Abdul Hakim Sarker urged the government to conduct a proper inquiry into the incident.