Sylhet: A section of pro-liberation teachers of Shahjalal University for Science and Technology (SUST) continued their three-hour work abstention programme for the 2nd consecutive day on Wednesday, protesting the attack on some teachers allegedly by some BCL men and demanding removal of its vice chancellor.

Witnesses said the teachers under the banner of ‘Mohan Muktijuddher Chetonay Udbuddho Shikkhak Parishad’ brought out a procession from the teachers canteen at about 11:00am and held a rally in front of the VC Bhaban.

Former president of the teachers’ forum Professor Dr Mohammad Yunus, Professor Mantabur Rahman, Professor Abdul Goni, Dr Dipen Debnath, Dr Anwarul Islam, Professor Hasanuzzaman Shyamol and assistant Professor Emdadul Haque spoke at the rally held with Professor Syed Samsul Alam in the chair.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Mohammad Yunus urged all concerned to make public the video footage of the incident, and conduct a judicial investigation against the VC.

Dr Zafar Iqbal, said, ‘I urge all to check the video footage of the incident. I was hurt seeing my colleagues out there on the campus even on the Eid day to realise their demand but nobody noticed it. The BCL men did so what they have been made to understand. The Prime Minister has said to root out weeds but we want to turn the weeds into flowering tree.’

Meanwhile, the heads of all the departments of SUST also strongly condemned the attack on the teachers, and also announced to observe a two-hour work abstention from 9:00am to 11:00am on Thursday.

Earlier, the teachers on Monday announced a three-day work abstention programme from Tuesday protesting Sunday’s attack on their colleagues.

The teachers had long been on a movement demanding the resignation of VC Professor Aminul Haque Bhuiyan.

They, however, postponed their movement following the request of Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid after a meeting on 23 July.

On 24 August, the Education Ministry sent a letter to the authorities concerned of the university requesting all to run the university properly.

On 30 August, 10 teachers of the university were assaulted by the leaders and activists of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) in front of the vice chancellor’s office.