Play store
RAJSHAHI: Rajshahi University authorities have relieved Professor Mahbubur Rahman, provost of Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Hall, from his post following an attack on journalists at the university.
The administration has also formed an investigation committee and asked it to submit its report within three working days, by Thursday.
University authorities said those found responsible for the attack would initially be suspended, while their names would be included in the charge sheet of the case. Action will also be taken against those who allegedly instigated or encouraged the incident.
University officials held talks with representatives of protesting students and journalists from around 11pm on Monday. The discussions, which focused on the protesters’ six-point demands, continued for more than two hours.
At around 1:15am, Vice-Chancellor Professor Faridul Islam announced the administration’s decisions.
“We expect to receive the investigation report within 72 hours. After that, the appropriate disciplinary measures under university regulations will be ensured based on the findings,” the vice-chancellor said, urging the protesters to trust the administration’s decisions.
Earlier, university journalists and students staged a sit-in outside the administration building to protest a case filed over the attack in which no individuals were named and unidentified persons were listed as accused.
At one point, the protesters confined Vice-Chancellor Faridul Islam and other university officials inside the administration building for around 45 minutes. Representatives of the students and journalists later held talks with the administration.
In response to the protesters’ demands, the vice-chancellor said those found responsible would be temporarily suspended after the investigation. The university would then form the necessary committees through the Syndicate and hold an emergency meeting within 15 days to initiate procedures for their permanent expulsion.
He added that accused individuals who are no longer students of the university would have their academic certificates revoked and be barred from entering the campus.
Those identified as responsible in the investigation report will be named as accused in the case, and a charge sheet will be submitted accordingly, the vice-chancellor said.
He also pledged action against those who allegedly instigated or encouraged the attack.
“No one responsible for this incident will be spared,” Faridul Islam said. “Action will also be taken against those who brought the situation to this point by making posts on Facebook.”
The vice-chancellor also said the incident involving the locking of the administration building would be investigated and appropriate action would be taken based on the findings.
