JU activities halted over official�s arrest

The academic and administrative activities at Jahangirnagar University (JU) came to a standstill yesterday, the third day of a strike protesting arrest of an official of the university administration. Jahangirnagar University Officers’ Association had enforced the strike on Tuesday protesting arrests of its general secretary Abdur Rahman Babul. Police arrested Babul, also president of Dhaka district Jatiyatabadi Swechchhasebak Dal from the campus on Monday night in connection with an arson attack case filed with Ashulia police station two years ago. Two people were killed in the arson as some unidentified people set a bus on fire on the Savar-Ashulia road on November 3, 2013.
JU officers agitated on the campus and took position in front of the Administrative Building boycotting their duties on Thursday. Classes and examinations of some departments were not held. The association leaders sat in a meeting with Vice-chancellor Dr Farzana Islam over the strike, but it concluded without any decision, JU Registrar Abu Bakkar Siddique said. Many were concerned as police did not notify the JU authorities before arresting Babul. However, Mehedi Iqbal, assistant proctor of the university, told this correspondent since Babul was arrested from outside, it did not violate the campus rule. Pro-Bangladesh Nationalist Party teachers and staff also extended their support to the strike. JU registrar Abu Bakkar Siddique said, “I don’t know who arrested Babul and why. We are looking into the matter.” On the other hand, sources concerned said as per the rule, the university administration should suspend Babul, upon his being sent to jail.   

JU activities halted over official�s arrest

The academic and administrative activities at Jahangirnagar University (JU) came to a standstill yesterday, the third day of a strike protesting arrest of an official of the university administration. Jahangirnagar University Officers Association had enforced the strike on Tuesday protesting arrests of its general secretary Abdur Rahman Babul. Police arrested Babul, also president of Dhaka district Jatiyatabadi Swechchhasebak Dal from the campus on Monday night in connection with an arson attack case filed with Ashulia police station two years ago. Two people were killed in the arson as some unidentified people set a bus on fire on the Savar-Ashulia road on November 3, 2013. JU officers agitated on the campus and took position in front of the Administrative Building boycotting their duties on Thursday. Classes and examinations of some departments were not held. The association leaders sat in a meeting with Vice-chancellor Dr Farzana Islam over the strike, but it concluded without any decision, JU Registrar Abu Bakkar Siddique said. Many were concerned as police did not notify the JU authorities before arresting Babul. However, Mehedi Iqbal, assistant proctor of the university, told this correspondent since Babul was arrested from outside, it did not violate the campus rule. Pro-Bangladesh Nationalist Party teachers and staff also extended their support to the strike. JU registrar Abu Bakkar Siddique said, I dont know who arrested Babul and why. We are looking into the matter. On the other hand, sources concerned said as per the rule, the university administration should suspend Babul, upon his being sent to jail.