Students among 1,450 sued, probe starts

Three cases were filed yesterday against 1,450 people including Rajshahi University (RU) students and locals in connection with the Tuesday night's violence that led to closure of the university.

Meanwhile, the eight-member probe committee formed by the RU syndicate started investigating the incidents yesterday.

Mahabubul Alam Konok, an employee of bus service provider 'Hanif Enterprise' at a ticket counter at Binodpur Bazar, filed a case with Motihar Police Station against RU student Humayun Kabir and 500 other unnamed university students on charges of damaging and torching the counter.

Following a syndicate decision, RU acting Registrar Prof Muhammad Shafi filed a case with Motihar Police Station against 400 unnamed outsiders for hurling brickbats at the vice chancellor's residence and damaging RU vehicles and properties.

Sub-Inspector Masud Pervez of Motiher Police Station filed another case against 550 people including RU students and locals on charges of attacking policemen and destroying public property.

However, police are yet to arrest anyone.

Earlier, RU closed the university indefinitely on Wednesday following Tuesday night's violent clashes between university students and local transport workers that left 60 people including teachers, students and policemen injured.

The RU authorities asked resident students to vacate all 16 dormitories by 12:00noon the same day.

Probe committee convener Prof Dr Delwar Hossain of Applied Physics Department told The Daily Star that the committee will submit its report after the university reopens.

RU proctor Enamul Haque and assistant proctors visited the injured students at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH) and RU medical centre.

Meantime, leaders of RU units of Bangladesh Chhatra League, Progotishil Chhatra Jote and Bangladesh Chhatra Union (BCU) met the university proctor separately and demanded the authorities reopen the university immediately.

BCU at a press briefing said they would go for a movement if the authorities do not reopen the university within a week.

Local businessmen at a meeting at Binodpur Bazar urged the authorities to provide them with compensation and take stern actions against the people responsible.

When contacted, RU VC Prof Mamnunul Keramat said the authorities suspended all classes and examinations indefinitely for the safety of university students.