Ex-RU Professor Rescued After Alleged Assault, Claims Extortion Attempt

Police rescued retired Rajshahi University professor PM Shafiqul Islam after he was allegedly assaulted by a group of locals in the Sadur Mor area of Rajshahi city on Saturday afternoon. He is currently in custody at Boalia Model Police Station, according to Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mehedi Masud.

Professor Shafiqul, formerly a treasurer at Sheikh Hasina University in Netrokona, was removed from his position by the Education Ministry on September 19. After spending several months in Dhaka following the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government on August 5, he recently returned to his home in the Kalu Mistri Mor area under Boalia police jurisdiction.

Eyewitnesses and police reported that Professor Shafiqul was walking near his house when locals recognized him and surrounded him. They allegedly assaulted him and detained him in a nearby field. Police arrived around 5 p.m. and took him to the station.

A video of the assault has since circulated on Facebook.

OC Mehedi Masud stated, “The professor’s permanent residence is in Bagmara. We have contacted Bagmara Police Station to check if there are any pending cases against him. Additionally, we are investigating whether he has any charges elsewhere.” He added that further steps would depend on directives from higher authorities.

Professor Shafiqul has been active in politics and academia. He served as vice-president of the central committee of the Awami League’s volunteer wing and was a former vice-president of the Rajshahi district Awami League. He also led the Bangabandhu Parishad at Rajshahi University and was a prominent member of the university’s pro-Awami League Blue Panel.

The professor sought an Awami League nomination for the Rajshahi-4 (Bagmara) seat in the January 11, 2024 election but was not selected.

Speaking to reporters as police escorted him away, Professor Shafiqul claimed he had been falsely accused and had no criminal record. “During the movement, I was serving as the treasurer at Sheikh Hasina University in Netrokona. I was not involved in any violent activities,” he said.

He further alleged that local youths had detained him and demanded Tk 7 lakh from him.

When asked about this claim, OC Mehedi Masud stated, “We are not aware of any ransom demands. There was some resistance when police intervened to rescue him, but such incidents are common.”