Five Officials Accused of Beating Deputy Registrar in Begum Rokeya University Vice-Chancellor's Office in Rangpur

Five officials at Begum Rokeya University (BRU) in Rangpur have been accused of beating Deputy Registrar Md Rafikul Islam. Md Rafikul Islam, a deputy registrar of the university's Bangla department, was injured in the incident.

The scuffle took place on Wednesday night (4 November) in the office of Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Md Showkat Ali, after an argument over the exchange of letters escalated. Blood was seen coming from below the injured Rafikul Islam's left eye. He was later taken to hospital.

Eyewitness sources said a discussion was under way about the internal exchange of letters between two teachers. At that point Rafikul Islam raised a question about the matter. When he was told not to speak, an argument began among the officials. It later turned into a scuffle.

The injured official, Bangla department Deputy Registrar Md Rafikul Islam, said the discussion was about various letters sent concerning Majnu Sir and Yusuf Sir. At that time, he said, it was stated that who sends these letters needs to be addressed, so that such a thing does not happen again in future. Majnu Sir had allegedly sent a letter against Yusuf Sir, and Jibon Sir had assisted Majnu Sir in that.

Rafikul Islam also said that at one stage of the discussion Tarek said he does not understand senior and junior, that a senior will stay in the senior's place and a junior in the junior's place. Zia then came forward to hit him and punched him first. Rokon and Zia then began beating him together. According to Rafikul Islam, Zia, Tarek, Mamdudur, Rokonuzzaman and Labu beat him in a planned and sudden attack. The incident took place while they were speaking in front of the Vice-Chancellor.

The officials accused of the beating, on the other hand, made a counter-allegation. They said a matter was being discussed between two teachers, and when official Rafikul Islam spoke in the middle of the teachers' conversation, they told him not to speak. He then advanced towards them aggressively, and they obstructed him. At one stage there was pushing and shoving between them. The accused officials claimed, however, that no beating took place among them.

University Registrar (additional charge) Dr Md Ferdous Rahman said no decision has yet been taken on the matter. He said it will be informed when a decision is taken.