Rajshahi University (RU) authorities have relieved Prof Md Mahbubar Rahman, provost of Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Hall, of duties over allegations of inaction and deletion of CCTV footage after an attack on journalists allegedly by Chhatra Dal activists.
Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Faridul Islam announced the decision after a meeting with protesting journalists and students at the VC's conference room around 1am Tuesday.
The university authorities also assured the protesters that action would be taken against those involved in the attack within three days.
“Respecting the sentiments of the journalists, we have removed the provost of Zia Hall. The remaining issues will be investigated and punishment will be ensured based on the findings,” he said.
The protesting journalists said they placed six demands before the university administration, of which the demand for removing the hall provost has been accepted.
They said the administration sought three days to implement the remaining five demands.
Journalists said they want those involved in the attack to be identified through a fair investigation within these three days and punished according to university rules.
The protesting journalists also alleged that although they sought CCTV footage of the attack, the provost refused to provide it and that the crucial footage was subsequently deleted.
However, the hall provost denied the allegation of deleting CCTV footage.
A five-member committee has been formed to investigate an attack on journalists carried out allegedly by activists of Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) on the campus.
On Sunday, 10 people including four journalists were injured in an attack allegedly by some leaders and activists of JCD in front of Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Hall around 8:30 pm.