I couldn't persuade anyone to calm down: JnU VC

Jagannath University Vice-Chancellor Professor Md Rais Uddin has said he was unable to persuade the rival groups to stop after clashes broke out between activists of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal and Islami Chhatra Shibir during the university's July Uprising Day programme.

Speaking at an emergency press conference on Tuesday afternoon, the vice-chancellor said the university administration had held several coordination meetings and consultations with active student organisations and other stakeholders in advance to ensure the event was conducted in a peaceful, orderly and dignified manner.

He said the administration had made comprehensive preparations to observe the nationally significant programme with due respect.

Professor Mamun Ahmed, chairman of the University Grants Commission of Bangladesh (UGC), attended the event as chief guest.

The vice-chancellor said the UGC chairman had been invited in recognition of the commission's support for the university's academic, research and infrastructure development.

He added that such an important occasion called for restraint, responsibility and discipline from everyone to uphold the university's reputation.

However, he said the clashes between the two groups disrupted the entire programme.

"I came out of the seminar and tried to calm them down. No one listened to me," the vice-chancellor said.

He added that the university administration was giving the highest priority to maintaining academic activities and a peaceful campus environment, and that all necessary measures were being taken to ensure the safety of students, teachers and staff.

The vice-chancellor stressed that there was no place for violence, terrorism or disorder on campus. He said that anyone found responsible for the incident, regardless of affiliation, would be identified through an investigation and dealt with in accordance with university regulations.

He also said the investigation committee formed to determine the cause of the violence, identify those involved and recommend measures to prevent similar incidents in the future had been instructed to submit its report as quickly as possible.

The university administration has already formed a committee to investigate the incident.