The step is seen by teachers and student organisations as a move by VC Prof Musleh uddin Ahmed to secure his position in the face of demand for his withdrawal.

The decision was taken at a Syndicate meeting held on July 24 but was not disclosed. The meeting also decided to keep police deployed on the campus to stave off demonstration by students.

The decisions will be effective from August 7 when dormitories will reopen. As per an earlier decision of the Syndicate, the university will reopen on August 9. The SUST was closed sine die amid a tense situation on May 14 when a student was killed in police firing

The Syndicate earlier imposed restriction on political activities like procession, rally, human chain, strike etc on the campus on August 2 last year after assistant general secretary of SUST JCD unit Rafiqul Islam Patwary Liton was killed in a clash with party rivals 13 July. The authorities also expelled 13 JCD.

The restriction was extended for another six months in January this year. But, it could not be enforced as students, teachers and employees held different programmes.

Reacting to the decision to restrict political activities for another six months, leaders of all student organisations including those of ruling parties, said it has been done to secure position of the VC.

However, the VC said, the Syndicate took the decision to ensure security and maintain a congenial academic atmosphere.

Opposition Awami League's student front Bangladesh Chhtra League (BCL) earlier called an indefinite strike on the campus from August 9 demanding withdrawal of the VC.

VC Prof Mosleh Uddin Ahmed had resigned in the face of

students' agitation following the death of a student in police firing on May 14. But he has managed to return to the campus on July 5 under protection of police and JCD cadres.

Since then, opposition-backed teachers and students organisations have been demanding his withdrawal.

The Students Action Commi-ttee, a combine of opposition-backed student bodies, are agitating for his withdrawal. It will bring out a procession from the city's Court Point on August 5.