IU suspends Sajib, his aide

Matiar Rahman, left, a teacher of statistics at Jagannath University, aiming a pistol during a "training session on the operation of the firearm" on the Islamic University campus in Kushtia. An all-smiling Sajibul Islam Sajib, centre, joint convener of Bangladesh Chhatra League's IU unit, who allegedly imparts the training, and his associate Salauddin Ahmed, right, a BCL activist. Photo: Courtesy

The Islamic University authorities in Kushtia last evening suspended a Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) leader and his aide for allegedly training a teacher of another university and a civil servant in operating firearms.

They are Sajibul Islam Sajib, joint convener of BCL IU unit, and activist Salauddin Ahmed, both students of law.  

Vice-Chancellor Abdul Hakim Sarker told The Daily Star that a three-member investigation committee was formed for this, and was asked to file a report in 15 working days.

At least two Bangla dailies published Monday photos of Matiar Rahman, a teacher of statistics at Jagannath University, and Azizul Haq Mamun, a BCS (economics) officer, "firing" pistols and a smiling Sajib and his associate Salauddin standing next to them near Mofiz Lake on IU campus.

When the photos were taken was not clear but IU unit BCL convener Shamim Hasan Khan presumed the time to be 2009 or 2010. He declined to talk further.

Sajib firing a pistol during violence on the IU campus on September 7 last year. Photo: Courtesy

The Daily Star could not independently verify how the photos were leaked to the press.

BCL sources said Matiar and Mamun, who took the "training", were involved with BCL politics while studying at Dhaka University and friends to IU BCL leader Sajib. The three became friends for being involved with BCL, said the sources.

Matiar hails from Kurigram and Mamun from Gazipur, the Jugantar reported yesterday.

The two enrolled in DU under the 2006-2007 session. Later Matiar joined IU as lecture before moving to Jagannath University the same year, while Mamun entered public service through the 32nd BCS exam.

Their friend, Sajib, also student of the same session, is studying law. He was supposed to graduate in 2010 but is still in the second year, said the department sources.

Sajib has been out of his home in Kushtia town for the last two days, said his mother, when this correspondent visited her yesterday.