Barishal University authority files GD against protesting students

The Barishal University administration has filed a General Diary (GD) against 22 students who were protesting with the demand for resignation of university Registrar Monirul Islam.

Assistant Registrar KM Sanowar Parvez Liton filed the GD at the Metropolitan Bandar Police Station as the plaintiff this morning (28 April).

The GD names 10 students from various departments and includes allegations against 12 unidentified individuals.

Stating that the GD was filed on the instructions of the authorities for the security of the university, Sanowar Parvez said, "I am a junior officer of the university. I am not a decision-maker and am completely innocent regarding the filing of the GD or a case. I have no power to add or remove even a single word."

Confirming that the GD was lodged following the vice-chancellor's instructions, he added, "What has been written in the GD was written by a lawyer. I have only performed my assigned duty."

Bandar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Rafiqul Islam confirmed receiving the GD from the university administration.

The GD names Rakin Khan, Mizanor Rahman, Enamul Haque, and Tariqul Islam of the English department; Nazmul Dhali of the Journalism department; Mokammel Sheikh of the Public Administration department; Tarik Hossain of the Law department; MD Shihab of the Political Science department; Apurba Rocky of the Coastal Studies department; Rafiq of the Chemistry department; and 12 unidentified individuals as defendants.

According to the GD, the protesting students have been accused of creating chaos on campus and obstructing administrative activities. On 27 April, they reportedly chanted slogans in front of the university's administrative building with banners and posters containing various demands.

They allegedly entered the registrar's office, intimidated officers, drove them out, and locked the registrar's room. The collapsible gate of the registrar's building was also padlocked, disrupting administrative operations.

When officers returned to the registrar's office around 2:30pm, they were reportedly threatened by the students, according to the GD.

Notably, a group of students at Barishal University has been protesting with a four-point demand, including the removal of Registrar Md Monirul Islam.

Other demands include the reinstatement of Professor Md Muhsin Uddin as a member of the Academic Council and Syndicate, action against "autocratic and fascist-supporting" teachers, and an apology from the vice-chancellor for allegedly giving opportunities to controversial teachers.