The adminstration’s underplaying and protesters’ accusations on sexual assault during Pahela Baishakh celebration should thoroughly be probed, opines Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Professor AAMS Arefin Siddique.

The vice-chancellor made the comment while talking toThe Daily Star Online.

“An independent investigation is a must to find out the facts as it is a human tendency of the protesters to exaggerate and of the administration to underplay,” he said.

He however called upon the mass media to find out the facts by investigating into the incidents thoroughly so that the culprits can be identified to bring them to book.

“If any DU student is involved in the assault, he must face the maximum punishment…and if outsiders are found involved, we will pressurize the authorities concerned to ensure proper punishment,” Prof Arefin Siddique said.

“Even some quaters may try to fish in the trouble water to make the university campus unstable,” he said hinting at the protests going on against the sexual assault.

Asked about the role of university administration, the vice-chancellor said it is impossible for the administration to maintain law and order during special days like Pahela Baishakh, February 21, Independence Day etc.

“Hence, we always seek cooperation from the law enforcers,” he said assuring to address the flaws and weaknesses of the administration and law enforcers through fair, objective and factual investigation to avert such incidents in future.