VC rules out re-elections, protests on [ Tritiyo Matra News ]

VC rules out re-elections, protests on

Local March 14, 2019

Dhaka University vice-chancellor Md Akhtaruzzaman on Wednesday ruled out re-elections to the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union while all but Chhatra League continued protests for the second consecutive day for re-polling and resignation of people engaged in conducting the polls.
Akhtaruzzaman told a press conference that they had no right to demotivate people who worked relentlessly to hold the polls.
Leaders and activists of Sadharan Chhatra Adhikar Sangrakshan Parishad, Pragatishil Chhatra Oikya, Swatantra Jote, Chhatra Federation and Swadhikar Swatantra Parishad brought out a procession from Raju memorial sculpture at about 12:30pm pressing for the two-point demands.
Later, a delegation of the platforms submitted a memorandum to the vice-chancellor.
Addressing a gathering of the protesters, Pragatishil Chhatra Oikkya-nominated vice-president contender Liton Nandi said if the administrations failed to announce fresh schedule in three days, they would call a complete shutdown.
He demanded withdrawal of ‘false case’ filed against them and resignation of peoples engaged in conducting the polls.
Quota reform movement platform Sadharan Chhatra Adhikar Sangrakshan Parishad joint convener Faruk Hossain demanded withdrawal of cases filed accusing students of ‘assaulting’ Ruqayyah Hall provost.
Independent panel leader Auroni Semonti Khan said that they would go for tougher if schedule for re-polling was not announced in three days.
Talking to reporters, newly elected DUCSU vice-president Nurul Huq Nur of Sadharan Chhatra Adhikar Sangrakshan Parishad said that as the elections were not acceptable to all, he also wanted re-elections by March 31.
He said that the ruling Awami League-backed student body Bangladesh Chhatra League could not resist him and Akhter Hosain, elected as social welfare secretary, despite vote rigging.
Replying to a query, he said that elected students would take charge on time.
He said that they would need to follow rules and regulations.
Nurul further said that the authority would tolerate no chaos on the campus as a congenial atmosphere was prevailing on campus.
Seven Dhaka University students continued fast for the second consecutive day on Wednesday demanding re-elections.
Of them, philosophy third-year student Anindya Mondol of was a member candidate for Jagannath Hall union, computer science final-year student Tawhid Tanjin was transport secretary candidate, physics second-year student Shoyeb Mahmud was literature secretary candidate for Shahidulla Hall union and computer engineering student of 2013-14 session Mim Arafat Manab was DUCSU international affairs secretary candidate.
The rest two are Rafia Tamanna of journalism second year and Al Mahmud Taha of zoology second year, also a non-resident student of Fazlul Haq Muslim Hall.
Anindya Mondol fell sick and was rushed to Dhaka Medical College Hospital Wednesday afternoon.
Ruqayyah Hall students also continued protests for the second day for resignation of hall provost Zeenat Huda and re-elections to the hall union.
Five students of Ruqayyah Hall at 8:45pm began fast unto death in front of the hall for the same demands.
Three elected independent panels of Shamsunnahar Hall, Sufia Kamal Hall, Fajilatunnesa Mujib Hall students’ unions at a press conference extended their supports to Ruqayyah Hall protesters.
Most of the contesting panels on Monday boycotted halfway through the long-awaited elections to the Dhaka University Students’ Union and hall unions marred by allegations of attacks on contestants, ballot stuffing, obstacles in the queues and administrative failure.