BNP leaders escort Rajshahi Medical University VC to office as police open locked room; 2 more arrested

BNP leaders and activists took Rajshahi Medical University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Jawadul Haque to his office today (8 October), after which the locked room was opened in the presence of police and senior university officials.

Rajshahi Medical University Section Officer and VC's personal assistant Nazmul Hossain said leaders and activists of the metropolitan Jubo Dal, Chhatra Dal, Rajshahi Medical Chhatra Dal and BNP went to the VC's home in the Upashahar area around 10:30am and later took him by car to the university's temporary campus.

The lock of the VC office is being opened by the police. Photo: Courtesy.

Among those who went to the VC's home were Rajshahi metropolitan BNP Vice-President Zainal Abedin, Metropolitan Swechchhasebak Dal General Secretary Asaduzzaman Jony and Metropolitan Jubo Dal Convener Shariful Islam.

The lock on the VC's office was broken around 11:20am in the presence of Rajshahi district administration Executive Magistrate Arif Hossain and senior university officials. Leaders and activists of the metropolitan Jubo Dal, Chhatra Dal and BNP were also present.

After the room was opened, police entered the office and prepared an inventory of the items reported missing, according to the university administration.

The VC had returned to the campus a day after the mob incident but did not enter his office.

Rajshahi Medical University Registrar (additional charge) Professor Dr Shah Alam said the overall situation on campus was now normal.

"The activities of the Controller of Examinations' office have been running as usual. The registrar's office also resumed operations today. The VC's office was opened in the presence of the police, and the investigating officer entered the room and made a list of the missing items," he said.

Executive Magistrate Arif Hossain said university employees broke the lock while the administration remained present to monitor the situation and prevent any deterioration of law and order.

Meanwhile, police arrested two more people in connection with the mob incident in which the VC was allegedly forced to sign a resignation letter.

Rajpara police arrested Ali Akbar Hossain and Delwar Hossain, also known as Dulal, from their homes in the city's Baharampur area late Wednesday night.

With the latest arrests, three people have so far been arrested in the case. No political affiliation of the two newly arrested men was immediately established.

Rajshahi Metropolitan BNP leader Zainal Abedin and other BNP and affiliated organisation leaders were among those who visited the VC's residence before taking him to the campus.

Shariful Islam said some BNP and affiliated organisation leaders and activists had been named in connection with the incident several days ago and that action would be taken against those involved. He said they brought the VC from his home to his office following instructions from the party's central leadership.

Leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami, Chhatra Dal and Ulema Dal also visited the university's temporary campus.

Rajshahi Metropolitan Police spokesperson Deputy Commissioner Gaziur Rahman said the two were arrested after police found their involvement through analysis of video footage.

"Police are analysing video footage to identify and arrest others involved in the incident," he said.

The incident took place around 11:30am on 6 October, when a group identifying itself as "Amra Shadharon Chhatra-Janta" marched to the university and allegedly entered the VC's office by force.

The group allegedly forced Professor Jawadul Haque to sign a resignation letter and assaulted several university officials and employees.

A case was filed that night with Rajpara Police Station against 50-60 unidentified people.

The case was filed by Nazmul Hossain, a section officer and personal assistant to the VC.