Human rights group Suaram today called on the Ministry of Higher Education to sack Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) vice-chancellor Prof Dr Mik Mustapha R Abdullah.

Suaram made the call when expressing its disappointment over the university's investigation into a fracas involving its students on July 17.

In two separate incidents, dozens of 'pro-establishment' students, backed by campus authorities, allegedly manhandled fellow students from the rival 'independent' camp. Video recordings of the incidents had also surfaced.

On both occasions, the 'independent' students were setting up a 'help counter' at the canteen to assist newly-enrolled students when they were confronted. See video .

Following this, UPM set up a five-member inquiry committee upon the instruction of the Ministry of Higher Education to look into the incidents.

Nik Mustapha ( left ) later announced that no action would be taken against the students beyond issuing them letters to 'educate' them.

'State of denial'

Commenting on this, Suaram said it was 'gravely concerned' over the manner in which the committee, comprising five UPM lecturers, had investigated the case.

"How could one expect five subordinates of the vice-chancellor to investigate and perform their duty without fear or favour," said Suaram coordinator Chang Lih Kang in a statement.

He also claimed that 'leading questions' were posed to those from the independent camp - known as the Students Progressive Front (SPF) - when they testified before the committee.

"They were asked to explain why SPF had set up a service counter without getting permission from the authority and why they refused to leave when they were ordered to, instead of investigating how they were intimidated and victimised," he said.

Chang also took Mustapha to task over the vice-chancellor's alleged "state of total denial".

He was referring to Mustapha's remark that the students were "merely singing, cheering and not shouting" when asked to explain the video recording.

"The video clip clearly showed that those students did shout, heckle, intimidate and manhandle the SPF members," Chang said.

In view of this, he said Suaram wanted the ministry, among others, to sack Mustapha and form another independent inquiry committee to probe the incidents.