The New Nation - Internet Edition

RU Correspondent

Failing to attend classes and reach examination halls on time due to work abstention programme by a section of transport workers of the Rajshahi University (RU), angry students of the university yesterday ransacked three university buses and assaulted the university proctor, student adviser and others university high officials.

Campus sources said, some of transport workers yesterday observed work abstention programme demanding removal of salary discrimination between third class employees and general employees.

Following the work abstention programme, university buses plied on only 11 routes out of 30. As a result, many students could not come to the university on time. Transport strike on most of the routes forced majority of the teachers, students and other employees to come to the university campus either by rickshaws or on foot.

Later the angry students ransacked three university buses protesting the work abstention by a section of transport workers.

Police, university proctor Enamul Haque, student's advisor Faridul Islam Pintu rushed to the spot and tried to cool down the angry student's agitation.

A serious argument took place between agitating students and the university proctor.

Soon the rampaging students assaulted the university proctor holding him responsible for failing to avert the abstention programme of the university transport employees.

At around 12.45pm, university student's advisor Prof. Faridul Islam Pintu and proctor Dr. Enamul Haque assured the agitating students that all buses would operate from 1.10pm.

Later, the agitating students withdraw their demonstration.

Abdus Salam, general secretary of RU Transport Workers Union, told the reporters that they submitted memorandum to RU VC and demanded closing of salary discrimination between third class employees and general employees.

He threatened to give a call for abstention by transport workers if their demands were not met by next 24 hours.

Sources said RU transport director Sayed Rafiqul Islam Rumi requested the transport workers to operate buses on all routers buses.

Following the request, the transport workers operated buses on all routes buses from 1.10pm.

When contacted, RU acting vice chancellor Prof Mamnunul Keramat, he said that university authorities will discuss the matter on an emergency basis.