The government agencies have identified forty-four teachers, students and employees of Rajshahi University, Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology, and Pabna University of Science and Technology for their alleged involvements in drugs and Yaba businesses.
A list of suspects had been sent to the authorities of Rajshahi Metropolitan Police, and RU, RUET and PUST in the first week of this month by the home ministry.
The list includes RU’s six teachers, eight employees, and twenty present and former students, among whom there are eleven Bangladesh Chhatra League leaders, three former Chhatra Dal leaders.
One teacher, two female students, and seven employees of RUET, and four employees of PUST are also on the list.
The ‘confidential report’, which was sent to the home ministry by the Prime Minister’s Office, was finalised after scrutinising a set of reports from intelligence agencies.
It includes five-point recommendations to contain drug dealing and abuse in the educational institutions.
Besides, it has been also directed keep the suspects under close observation, conduct strict surveillance and if needed take up emergency actions.
‘I am aware of the list. It is high time to take action against the teachers, students for moral turpitude,’ RU vice-chancellor M Abdus Sobhan told.
He, however, avoided answering to a question whether he had received the list or whether he would take any specific action against the reported drug dealing.
However, many in the university raised questions about the credibility of the report as it includes some reputed teachers.
They also alleged that the names of many others, who take drugs openly and are decidedly involved in drug business on the campus, have not been enlisted in the report.
Some of the people said many innocent people were named in the list.
Mass communication and journalism department associate professor Selim Reza Newton, whose name appeared in the list, said he had no idea how to engage in drug business.
‘There are certainly problems in preparing the list. I am a teacher and a cultural activist and I do nothing else,’ he said.
‘I never smoked in my life. How is it possible for me to be a drug addict or a peddler,’ said Mohammad Abul Hasanat, associate professor of institute of business administration, whose name was also appeared in the list.
Four other RU teachers, whose names were included in the list, termed it ‘odd and fabricated’.
Rajshahi metropolitan police commissioner Mahbubur Rahman said they would take legal action as per the home ministry directions.
‘We will not harass anyone. We will take legal steps only after getting substantial and persuasive evidence,’ he added.
