Pabna University of Science and Technology
Situation worsens as employees, staff go on indefinite strike
Agitating employees of Pabna University of Science and Technology (PUST) form a human chain in front of the administrative building of the university in the town yesterday. Photo: STAR
Employees and workers of Pabna University of Science and Technology started indefinite work abstention yesterday, demanding removal of the proctor and two assistant proctors for what the agitators said failure to take action after assault of an employee by a few students of the institution. The latest development worsened the turmoil persisting at the campus since Sunday when students of the university and a section of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) activists started demonstration demanding resignation of the vice chancellor for 'widespread corruption and nepotism' in recruitment at the three-year-old institution. The turmoil followed replacement of two lawmakers as members of the Regent Board during recent reshuffle in the highest administrative authority of the university. Around 80 class three and class four employees and workers of the university held demonstration and formed a human chain in front of the administrative building (temporary) at Raghabpur village in the district town at about 9:00am yesterday. The agitators announced their indefinite work abstention demanding removal of the proctor and assistant proctors. Earlier on Sunday, a few unruly students of the university assaulted Md Masud Rana, an MLSS of the university, on the campus at Rajapur village. “I closed the main gate of the campus as per the university authorities' order on Sunday when the students were demonstrating against the vice chancellor. At one stage, university Proctor Md Kamruzzaman and two assistant proctors ordered me to open the door. As I opened the door a few unruly students beat me up in presence of them,” Md Masud Rana, MLSS of the academic campus told this correspondent. Md Shohag Hossain, a computer operator of the university, said, “When the unruly students assaulted Masud Rana, the proctor and two assistant proctors present on the spot did not save the victim. The university authority has not taken any step either. So we want removal of the three officials.” Earlier on Sunday, the workers and employees went on demonstration to press home their seven-point demand including formulation of service rule, ensuring job security for the workers and employees and permission to form trade union. Contacted, Proctor Md Kamruzzaman said, “It is true that MLSS Masud Rana was assaulted inside the campus. But it is an isolated incident. We [proctor and assistant proctors] are not related with the incident.” Asked about not taking any step regarding the incident, he said, "The vice chancellor is not at the work station now. An investigation committee will be formed after he returns to the campus.”
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