2 more arrested over forcing RMU VC to sign resignation letter

Police have arrested two more people over their alleged involvement in forcing Rajshahi Medical University (RMU) Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Md Jawadul Haque to sign a resignation letter.

The two -- Ali Akbar Hossain and Delwar Hossain alias Dulal -- were arrested in the Baharampur area of Rajshahi city on Wednesday night.

Gaziur Rahman, deputy commissioner of Rajshahi Metropolitan Police (RMP), said the two were arrested after video footage of the incident was analysed and their involvement was identified.

“Efforts are underway to identify and arrest others involved in the incident by analysing the video footage,” he said.

With the latest arrests, three people have so far been arrested in connection with the incident. Police earlier arrested Abdus Salam, vice-president of the Rajpara thana unit of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).

On Tuesday, BNP and its affiliated Krishak Dal leaders and activists entered the VC’s office and allegedly forced Haque to sign a resignation letter they had prepared. He was subsequently removed from his office.

When his personal secretary Nazmul Hossain tried to protect him, he was also assaulted and forced to sign a resignation letter, according to university officials. Several other university officials and employees were also allegedly assaulted during the incident.

On Tuesday night, Nazmul, a section officer and the VC’s personal secretary, filed a case with Rajpara Police Station against 50–60 unidentified people over the incident.

Meanwhile, normal office activities at the university resumed on Thursday after the lock on the VC’s office was broken open in the presence of an executive magistrate.