Dhaka: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has formed a three-member probe committee to monitor militancy in public and private universities.

UGC Chairman Prof Abdul Mannan made the statement in a press conference held at the commission’s conference room on Sunday afternoon.

He said, “We have formed a three-member probe committee to monitor militancy in public and private universities. They can go to any university at any point of time for investigation.”

The UGC chief also said they were planning to amend the Private University Act and add a clause of an observer in the board of trustee, as seen in banks.

Talking about North South University, he said, “Strict action will be taken if we find NSU or any other universities’ involvement with militancy.”

Answering to a query about combating militancy in the university, Mannan said, “The commission handles 142 universities with only 243 official. Around 3.2 million]students study in these universities.

“It is not possible for us to fight against militancy in the university with so less manpower. And we can only investigate regarding the matter but the decision has to be taken by the government.”

UGC Convenor Professor Dr Md Akhtar Hossain will lead the committee. The other members are Ms Jesmin Pervin, deputy director of private university division of UGC and Mr Md Shahin Siraj, deputy secretary of UGC.

Besides, the officer concerned dealing of the Private University Division will act as Secretary of the committee. The committee will pay surprise visit to the universities at any time.

Private universities came under scrutiny recently after it emerged that several of their former and current students were involved in militancy, acts of terror and sabotage.

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