Chhatra League men ransack CU VC's office, demand suspension of teacher

A faction of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) attacked the academic building and vice chancellor's office of Chittagong University on Tuesday to press their demands for the suspension of a university teacher. The Chhatra League activists also vandalised two private cars, several motorcycles and 20 flower vases in front of the offices of the VC and registrar. They then assaulted the CU correspondent of the Banglavision TV channel, Shahjahan Khan, as he was taking footage of the vandalism. According to UNB, the group led by CU unit President Alamgir Tipu had issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the university authorities to suspend Md Amir Uddin, an associate professor of the university's Institute of Education Research who is spearheading a movement against holding tax in the city. The group claim Amir, who is also the general secretary of Chattagram Kordata Surokkha Parishad (Chittagong Taxpayers’ Protection Association), is plotting a conspiracy against the elected representatives through social media. The parishad launched a movement demanding the revocation of a holding tax on landlords which was increased by Chittagong City Corporation last year. On Sunday, Amir Uddin lodged a complaint with the university proctor, alleging that 10-15 Chhatra League men identifying themselves as the followers of Chittagong Mayor AJM Nasir Uddin allegedly threatened him at gunpoint at his office, in order to keep him away from the movement. The university teacher also filed a general diary with Hathazari police station in this regard. Hasan Maruf Rumi, assistant general secretary and the spokesperson of Chattagram Kordata Surokkha Parishad, said: “A vested quarter has been threatening assault But we will continue our rational movement with the six million people of the port city on our side.” The Chhatra League activists went on the rampage on Tuesday after their ultimatum went unheeded. Hathazari police station OC Belal Uddin Jahangir said additional police had been deployed on the campus and the situation was now under control.