The authorities of Islamic University (IU) in Kushtia have expelled three students for two semesters from all academic activities for assaulting journalists during a football match on the university campus. Besides, nine other students have been issued formal warnings.
The decision was announced on Wednesday through separate official notices signed by the university’s acting registrar, Professor Dr Manjurul Haque.
The move came following the recommendations of a probe committee and approval by the university syndicate in its 271st meeting held on October 30 (decision no. 38).
The expelled students are Nahid Hasan, Afsana Parvin Tina, and Riaz Morshed all from the Department of Economics, academic session 2020–21.
The nine warned students are Saiful Islam, Milton Mia, Moshiur Rahman, and Rakib Hossain (session 2022–23); Sourav Dutta, Minhajul Abedin, Sabbir Hossain, and Sourav Hossain Sajib (session 2020–21); and Faridul Alam Panna (session 2019–20) — all from the same department.
According to the office order, the investigation found that the three expelled students were directly involved in the “unpleasant incident” that took place on July 12, when an altercation broke out between students of different sessions of the Economics Department and campus-based journalists at the university’s central football field.
Witnesses said the scuffle erupted during an inter-session football match. When journalists tried to record the situation, some students reportedly attacked three reporters and snatched a mobile phone from one of them.
Following the incident, the university authorities formed a five-member probe committee on July 14, headed by Professor Dr Mizanur Rahman, Chairman of the Department of Pharmacy. Professor Dr Minnatul Karim served as the member secretary. The other members were Professor Dr Lutfar Rahman (Public Administration), Professor Dr Kamruzzaman (Dawah and Islamic Studies), and Professor Dr Shariful Islam (Information and Communication Technology).
