The situation surrounding Rajshahi Medical University Vice-Chancellor Prof Md Jawadul Haque took a new turn on Thursday as his locked office was reopened in the presence of an executive magistrate, while police arrested two more people over allegedly forcing him to sign a resignation letter.
The two were arrested in a case filed over the alleged harassment of the vice-chancellor and a university official. A BNP leader was arrested on the night of the incident, bringing the total number of arrests in the case to three.
Meanwhile, BNP and its affiliated and associate organisations’ leaders and activists brought the vice-chancellor from his Upashahar residence to the university’s temporary campus on Thursday morning.
Later, the lock on his office was opened in the presence of an executive magistrate.
The office was opened at around 11:15am in the presence of Executive Magistrate Md Arif Hossain.
After the room was handed over to the investigating officer, he entered the office and collected necessary evidence.
Arif Hossain, an executive magistrate at the district administration office, said an outsider had locked the vice-chancellor’s office.
“The lock was opened and the room was handed over to the investigating officer,” he said, adding that the law and order situation was normal.
Two more arrested
The two newly arrested men are Md Ali Akbar Hossain, 30, son of Abdul Hannan of Baharampur in Rajshahi city, and Md Delwar Hossain, 55, son of Alimuddin Sheikh of the same area.
Their political affiliations could not be confirmed until Thursday afternoon.
Rajpara Police Station Officer-in-Charge Abul Kalam Azad said one person had earlier been arrested in the case.
“With the two newly arrested, three people have been arrested so far. Legal action will be taken against them,” he said.
Police said several more people have been identified after analysing photographs and videos of the incident.
BNP leaders bring VC to campus
Earlier Thursday morning, BNP and its affiliated and associate organisations’ leaders and activists brought Prof Jawadul Haque from his Upashahar residence to the temporary campus.
Those present included Rajshahi Metropolitan BNP vice-president Zainal Abedin Shibli, metropolitan Jubo Dal general secretary Asaduzzaman Jony, metropolitan Jubo Dal convener Md Shariful Islam Jony, former Chhatra Dal president Akbar Ali Jacky, general secretary Emdadul Haque Limon and senior vice-president Md Abir.
Asaduzzaman Jony said they brought the vice-chancellor to the campus following instructions from the BNP central leadership and Rajshahi Metropolitan BNP president Mamun-or-Rashid and general secretary Mahfuzur Rahman Riton.
He said BNP and its affiliated and associate organisations did not support any form of occupation or terrorist activities.
“If evidence is found that any party leader or activist was involved in the incident, organisational action will be taken against them,” he said.
Doctors demand legal action
Later in the morning, physician and other professional leaders visited the RMU vice-chancellor’s office. Among them were Prof Mohammad Jahangir, Prof M Morshed Zaman Mia, Prof ASM Abdullah and nurse leader Abu Taher.
They demanded legal action against those involved in Tuesday’s incident. Doctors also formed a human chain in front of Rajshahi Medical College on Wednesday protesting the incident.
On Tuesday, BNP and its affiliated organisations’ leaders and activists were accused of forcing the RMU vice-chancellor to sign a resignation letter at the university’s temporary office.
The vice-chancellor alleged that he was not allowed to read the document before signing it. He said he signed it fearing that he could be assaulted and was later forced out of the office.
Witnesses said a group of around 40 to 50 people carrying a banner reading “Rajshahir Apamor Chhatra-Janata” entered the RMU temporary office between 11:30am and noon.
The group then went to the vice-chancellor’s office and pressured him to resign. At one point, a resignation letter prepared beforehand was placed before him, and he was allegedly forced to sign it, according to the vice-chancellor and university officials.
Witnesses said several BNP and affiliated organisation leaders and activists were among the group. They named metropolitan Krishak Dal convener Sharfuzzaman Shamim, Rajpara thana BNP vice-president Abdus Salam and organising secretary Harunur Rashid.
However, their exact roles in the incident and whether they were present in their organisational capacities will be determined through investigation.
A case was filed with Rajpara Police Station against 50 to 60 unidentified people over the incident. Police said they have already identified several people as part of the investigation.
