A Pabna University of Science & Technology (PUST) official has reportedly issued death threats to his senior colleague working at the same institution.
There are allegations that PUST Assistant Director of Public Relations Department, Faruk Hossain Chowdhury, assaulted his senior colleague, Shahan Shah—who is the additional director of Finance and Accounting Office—at the university, on Wednesday.
Faruk also issued death threats to Shahan Shah, prompting him to file a general diary (GD) with the Pabna sadar police station the same day.
According to witnesses, Shahan Shah visited the office of Additional Registrar Bijan Kumar Brahma to collect a copy of the MPQ regulations, around 9:30am, on Wednesday. However, Bijan acted uncooperative and rude towards Shahan, triggering a heated verbal exchange between them.
Bijan later called Faruk for help, who then proceeded to assault Shahan and threaten his life.
Shortly after the scuffle, other PUST officials locked Bijan inside his room. Bijan’s colleagues later released him under assurance of the university vice chancellor that action will be taken over the incident.
‘Culture of non-cooperation’
Many students, teachers, officials, and employees have described personnel working in the PUST registrar's office as being uncooperative and rude.
The pro-vice chancellor of PUST had submitted written complaints against Additional Registrar Bijan Kumar Brahma in February this year, accusing him of a misdemeanor.
Addressing the issue, PUST researcher Jahurul Islam said: “The personnel working at the university registrar's office have not been transferred for some time. They have consolidated their influence in that office, and have formed an invisible syndicate.
“We do not want a culture of non-cooperation and nepotism in this university. The registrar's office officials must be rotated on a regular basis.”
The victim of the assault, Shahan Shah said: “I have submitted a written complaint to the honourable vice chancellor after the assault. I also filed a GD with Pabna Sadar police station, mentioning that I received death threats from Faruk Hossain.”
Meanwhile, Faruk Hossain told the Dhaka Tribune: “I am firmly denying the allegations brought against me by Shahan Shah. I have also filed a GD with the same police station over the matter.”
The local police have confirmed that they have taken cognizance of the complaint against Faruk Hossain.
