The Dhaka University (DU) administration has temporarily suspended 2 officials and employees over their alleged involvement in crude bomb explosions and attempts to create instability on campus, citing preliminary evidence of their involvement. They have also been issued show-cause notices.
The suspended individuals are Nipu Islam Tonni, a section officer of the Education-1 branch of the university's Registrar's Office, and Mohammad Amanullah, a sanitary supervisor at the Estate Office.
The information was disclosed in a press release issued by the university's Public Relations Office on Wednesday.
Both Tonni and Amanullah were leaders of the currently banned Bangladesh Chhatra League during their student lives.
Tonni was the former president of the Chhatra League's Shamsun Nahar Hall unit at Dhaka University. She was elected as a member in the 2019 Dhaka University Central Students' Union (DUCSU) election.
Amanullah was a former deputy secretary of the central Chhatra League and a former deputy publicity secretary of the organization's Shaheed Sergeant Zahurul Haque Hall unit.
There are also allegations that he took part in a procession of pro-Awami League officials and employees at the Dhaka University Registrar Building on August 4, 2024.
However, Amanullah has denied the allegations against him. He claimed that he performed his official duties on the day of the incident and had no involvement in the explosion.
Several attempts were made to contact Tonni on her mobile phone, but she could not be reached.
The press release said a case had already been filed with Shahbagh police station over the crude bomb explosion on November 10 on the premises of the university's Faculty of Business Studies. The administrative action was taken against the concerned officials and employees after preliminary evidence of their involvement in the incident was found.
The press release further said the university administration remains alert against such acts of sabotage to maintain a peaceful environment, security and stability on campus. Necessary administrative measures are being taken against those involved in such incidents in accordance with the university's existing regulations.
When asked about the matter, Amanullah told Dhaka Tribune: “I have no involvement whatsoever in the crude bomb explosion. I did not participate in any such activities, did not assist anyone, and had no prior knowledge of this matter.”
According to Amanullah, he arrived at the office at 9am on November 10. Later, on the instructions of Estate Manager Fatima Binte Mostafa, he went to different locations of the university with Assistant Estate Manager Abdur Rahim, Chief Assistant Mostafizur Rahman and peon Sujon to collect information related to cleanliness.
During this time, he visited various places, including International Hall, Provost Complex, Faculty of Business Studies, Arts Building, DUCSU, Madhur Canteen, Shahbagh, Doel Chattar, Curzon Hall, Mall Chattar and Muqarram Bhaban. He took photographs of the dirt and garbage at these places and recorded the necessary information. He returned to the office at 1:10pm.
He further said that at 1:20pm, he went to his residence in the South Nilkhet residential area. After receiving a phone call from Security Officer Monir at 2:45pm, he left his residence at 2:50pm and returned to the office.
He then went to the Dhaka Education Board with the officer for official purposes and returned to the office at around 3:45pm. Later, after receiving a phone call from the Estate Manager, he went to the vice-chancellor's office.
After seeing leaders and activists of Shibir protesting there, he left the place and departed from the campus.
He further said: “I demand an impartial investigation based on specific information and evidence.”