The New Nation - Internet Edition

RU Correspondent

About 200 students of Folklore department at Rajshahi University (RU) on Saturday assaulted university assistant proctor, confined department teachers for one hour and vandalised department chairman room and office on the campus demanding immediate inclusion of their department under social science faculty. Earlier, the agitating students on Friday morning staged a demonstration in front of their department premises locked Ismail Hossen Siraji building. Later, the agitating students met department chairman Dr Shahidur Rahman at his office and asked his explanation about the students demand. Sources said, department chairman requested the agitating students to calm down their demonstration. On the time, an altercation was held between the agitating students and department teachers over their demand.

At one stage, the agitating students locked and confined the department teachers at chairman room for one hour.

Some agitating students also ransacked chairman office window glasses and damaged department office furnitures. Hearing the news, RU assistant Proctor Ariful Islam along with policemen rushed to the spot and tried to calm down the angry students. The agitating students also assaulted the university assistant proctor Ariful Islam and police officials. The students however settled down after the department chairman and teachers assured them that they meet RU vice chancellor Prof Mamnunul Keramat at his office and press home their demand. Following the assurance, the agitating students withdraw their demonstration till finishing admission test.

They threatened to go on a hunger strike if their demand is not met immediately after the admission test. Later, university assistant proctor and police leave the place following the requested by the department teachers. When contacted, Department Chairman Dr Shahidur Rahman said, 'We instantly met RU VC and informed the students demonstration'. We also formed an investigation committee to look into students demand, he also said.