Academics at Chittagong University were hampered as a faction of Chhatra League, the ruling party’s student wing, continued their blockade programmes for the third consecutive day yesterday.
Campus sources said the shuttle train and bus service between the campus and the port city also remained suspended, disrupting the commute for students. No classes were held at the university, however, examinations were held by a few departments.
CU Proctor Professor Siraj Ud Dowla said the concerned authority has urged the blockaders to withdraw their blockade for the next two weeks adding that the CU authority would hold a meeting with the agitating group of Chhatra League to bring normalcy back to the campus.
The appeal was made in an urgent meeting held at CU vice-chancellor’s office around 10:30am with CU Pro-VC Professor Ifthekhar Uddin Chowdhury.
The proctor, however, could not to tell when the train and bus services would resume their regular route.
Deans Committee Convener Professor Imran, syndicate member Professor Sowren Biswash, Students Welfare Advisor Professor Khan Tawhid Osman,Superintendent of Police (North) Md Sahidullah were present at the meeting, amongst others.
Station Master Md Sahbuddin of Sholahahar Railway Station said since there were no instructions from higher authority of Bangladesh Railway, the shuttle train service has remained suspended.
Chhatra League CU unit Joint Secretary Sumon Mamun said they would continue the blockade as there was no visible headway in meeting their the eight-point demands.
Meanwhile, another faction of Chhatra League staged demonstrations on campus against the blockade. They brought out procession demanding to keep a congenial educational atmosphere in campus.
On April 5, a faction of Chhatra League activists had physically assaulted Nasir Haider Babul, assistant secretary of Awami League central sub-committee, at the campus.
On May 7, another faction of BCL men enforced a blockade at CU for an indefinite period, protesting the incident and also abducted a shuttle train driver; however, they did release him after three hours.
Another driver and two police men were injured during the vandalism of the shuttle train in the city, protesting the April 5 attack.