10 including teachers injured in attack on anti-VC protest at PSTU

At least 10 people, including teachers and officials, were injured in an attack by outsiders on a sit-in programme demanding the removal of Patuakhali Science and Technology University (PSTU) Vice-Chancellor Dr Kazi Rafiqul Islam. The attack occurred around 10:00 am on Monday, May 11, in front of the university's administrative building.

The injured include Professor ABM Saiful Islam, Dr Abdul Malek, Dr Md Atiqur Rahman, Dr Nizam Uddin, Dr Md Shahidul Islam, Dr Nani Gopal, Dr Ripon Chandra Pal, Director (Finance and Accounts) Md Jasim Uddin, and official Nasrin Akter.

Witnesses said teachers and officials began a human chain and sit-in programme in front of the administrative building around 9:30 am, demanding the removal of the current VC. The participants were chanting slogans in favour of Pro-VC Professor Hemayet Zahan.

PSTU is a public agricultural, science and technological research university located in Dumki upazila under Patuakhali district, established in 2000. It is the only science and technology university in Barisal division.

Protesters alleged that over a hundred outsiders, led by sacked Upazila Jubo Dal member secretary Ripon Sharif, entered the campus and attacked the programme. The outsiders, allegedly supporters of the VC, physically assaulted the protesting teachers and officials, leading to a chase, chaos and scuffle between the two sides. The entire campus has become tense following the incident.

A video circulating on social media shows chairs being broken and both sides engaged in altercations.