The Dhaka University (DU) administration has temporarily suspended a university employee over allegations of offering financial incentives to others to carry out crude bomb explosions on campus and create instability.
The employee, identified as Amanullah Aman, a sanitary supervisor at the university's Estate Office, has also been served with a show-cause notice after the administration found preliminary evidence supporting the allegations.
Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Administration) Professor Dr Mohammed Almujaddade Alfasane confirmed the development to Daily Waadaa on Wednesday morning.
"There were allegations that he offered financial incentives to other university employees to carry out crude bomb explosions. Those who were approached with such offers reported the matter to us. Following the complaints, we immediately sent members of the proctorial team to the Estate Office," he said.
He said Amanullah fled his office when members of the proctorial team arrived and switched off his mobile phone. The administration has yet to trace him.
"After finding preliminary evidence supporting the allegations, we temporarily suspended him and issued a show-cause notice. A committee will be formed at the next Syndicate meeting to conduct a further investigation. Appropriate action will be taken against him in accordance with the university's existing rules and regulations after the investigation is completed," Alfasane said.
Earlier, the university's Public Relations Office issued a statement on Tuesday confirming the temporary suspension of an employee and the issuance of a show-cause notice, without disclosing his identity.
Asked why the employee's name had not been disclosed, a Public Relations Office official told Waadaa that the university had not reached a final decision on his dismissal and had instead initiated an investigation through a show-cause notice. The office therefore considered it inappropriate to reveal his identity at this stage.
Alfasane, however, said the Public Relations Office might have considered the number of employees more important than their identities. He added that he was disclosing the employee's identity on behalf of the university administration.
Meanwhile, following an emergency meeting with law enforcement agencies on Tuesday night, the university administration announced a series of measures to strengthen security across the campus.
The administration said strict action would be taken under university regulations and state laws if an investigation established the allegations, irrespective of the accused person's identity, position or affiliation with the university.
The security measures include round-the-clock patrols by law enforcement agencies, security checkpoints at the university's six entrances and increased surveillance to restrict the entry of outsiders.
Law enforcement agencies, the proctorial team and the Bangladesh National Cadet Corps (BNCC) will jointly implement the measures.
The administration has also instructed teachers, students, officers and employees to carry their respective identity cards while on campus. CCTV surveillance is being strengthened to monitor campus security around the clock.
In its statement, the administration said ensuring a safe, peaceful and education-friendly campus was a collective responsibility. It warned that no leniency would be shown towards anyone attempting to disrupt campus discipline, carry out sabotage, engage in violence or deteriorate the law and order situation.
The administration also urged all concerned to cooperate in maintaining campus security, discipline and a normal academic environment.
The emergency meeting was chaired by DU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr A B M Obaidul Islam. Among those present were Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Professor Dr Abdus Salam, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Administration) Professor Dr Mohammed Almujaddade Alfasane, Treasurer Professor M Jahangir Alam Chowdhury and Proctor Md Israfil Pk (Israfil Ratan), along with other university officials.