Anomalies rule DU hall seat allotment
Students threaten a greater movement
DU Correspondent
Resident students of Jagannath Hall of Dhaka University have accused the authorities of irregularities in seat allotment and demanded immediate fresh allocations basing on their merit and seniority.Alleging 'widespread irregularities' in allotments, incensed students tore all the lists posted on the dormitory notice boards on Saturday in a re-run of Friday's scene. At least 2,000 students and about 200 outsiders are living in the hall having 1,047 seats, sources said, adding some rooms fell to the hands of occupiers, belonging to the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), student wing of coalition leader Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). The grabbed rooms became home to outsiders, they added. Students allege that because of authorities' indifference, irregularities crept in dormitory seat distribution two years ago. They said in the face of student protests, authorities put up the lists of allocated seats for four buildings in the dormitory on Thursday. They alleged Nirmal Das, a former DACSU member, has been staying in the hall for 18 years because of 'utter neglect of responsibility' by the authorities. Another outsider, Dulal, has been living in the hall for 10 years. Students alleged although he completed studies seven years ago, authorities allocated him Room No. 252 of the North Building a few months back. The room was shown vacant on yesterday's list, they said. They alleged seats were allocated to non-resident students and in some cases first year students got seats over resident third year students. Students who have already completed their master's degree, have also been allocated seats at the cost of 50 regular students like Palash and Ajit who have a year and a half to complete their study. Resident students also spoke of 'politically reserved' seats, saying some seats were earmarked for influential ruling party students, an allegation denied by a JCD leader. They said room Nos. 323 and 425 were allocated to a student and many non-students were staying in the hall occupying seats at the blessing of JCD leaders. Hall Provost Dr Nim Chandra Bhoumik said the allocations lists were corrected. Some agitated students said they would launch a greater movement against the administration if their demands went unmet.
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