The New Nation - Internet Edition

RU Correspondent

Academic and administrative activities of the Rajshahi University (RU) remained stalled for the second day yesterday due to indefinite strike of the controversially appointed fourth-class employees of the university for the regularisation of their jobs. No scheduled classes and examinations were held yesterday for the strike by about 200 employees.

RU authorities convened an emergency meeting of the academic committee yesterday morning at the VC's house with RU acting VC Prof Mamnunul Keramat in the chair.

The academic committee postponed scheduled classes and examinations of all departments till December 31. It also postponed admission test and viva voce examination till December 31 and asked admission seekers to know the next viva voce examination date of their respective departments from the notice board.

Several hundred admission seekers returned homes disappointed yesterday as they could not appear before the board for interview due to strike.

On the other hand, the agitating employees with many outsiders yesterday morning locked the RU main gate and laid siege to the administrative building. They also went to different faculty buildings, deans' offices, and RU transport office and locked them in presence of a large number of policemen.

They also asked teachers, officers, employees and students to leave the campus in front of police.

At around 12:00pm the striking employees held demonstration in front of administrative building and chanted slogans for the confirmation of their jobs.

They announced that they will continue the strike until their jobs are confirmed.

When contacted RU acting VC Prof Mamnunul Keramat told the New Nation that they hold discussion with the employees and request them to call off their agitation.