TDS Desk:

Authorities of Dhaka University (DU) and seven colleges have decided to severe their ties, a few hours before the expiration of a deadline issued by college students to adopt the move.

On Monday noon, DU Vice Chancellor Dr Niaz Ahmed Khan announced the end to seven colleges’ affiliation with DU at a press conference held at the university’s Abdul Matin Virtual Room.

To this end, the DU VC reached an agreement with principals of the seven colleges at a three-hour meeting held prior to the press briefing, Dr Niaz Ahmed told reporters.

According to the consensus, DU will not administer admission processes for the seven colleges from this year, he said adding a government expert committee, formed towards the end of last year, will oversee the admission activities from now on.

DU will, however, continue its services for the current students from the seven colleges until a new mechanism is developed, the vice chancellor noted.

Earlier, at 12pm, students from the seven colleges gave the government four hours to end the colleges’ affiliation status and start working for setting up a dedicated university for the colleges.

They also demanded removal of DU pro-VC Mamun Ahmed for allegedly insulting seven colleges’ students the previous day, leading to overnight violence in Neelkhet area.

Furthermore, the protesting students called for disciplinary actions against the police officers, who they alleged categorically targeted seven colleges’ students during their overnight clashes with DU students.

DMP Commissioner Sheikh Sazzat Ali has refuted the claims saying had police not intervened students from both groups would have locked in bloody clashes. Police demonstrated commendable patience during the violence and used sound grenades as well as tear shells only when it was essential, Sheikh Sazzat Ali said.