JU protesters lay siege to VC’s residence demanding her removal

Protesting teachers and students of Jahangirnagar University (JU) laid a siege to the residence of their Vice-chancellor Prof Dr Farzana Islam on Monday evening demanding her removal on corruption charges, reports UNB. 

The protesters under the banner of 'Jahangirnagar Against Corruption' brought a procession from the old academic building on the campus, marched towards the VC residence and took position in front of it around 7:30pm, witnesses said.

Speaking on the occasion, President of JU unit Samajtantrik Chhatra Front Mahathir Muhammad said they gave the VC much time to step aside but she did not pay any heed to this. "Instead, she has lodged a false case against protesting students to thwart the movement."

The agitating teachers and students said they will not leave the place until the removal of the 'controversial' VC.

Earlier on Sunday night, the protesting teachers held a meeting with Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni to resolve the crisis. However, the meeting failed to bring any positive outcome.

Students started the protests in August, demanding judicial inquiry into the reported involvement of the vice-chancellor in corruption and mismanagement of the Tk 1,445 crore campus development project.

It has been alleged that the VC managed Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) JU unit leaders with Tk 1.6 crore from the development fund.