Authorities of Begum Rokeya University (BRU) in Rangpur today suspended two professors and seven staff members following an announcement banning political activities in the campus this morning.

The move is aimed at maintaining a disruption-free campus, Vice-Chancellor Professor Shawkat Ali announced in a press briefing after a union meeting around 2.30 pm.

The suspended professors are Associate Professor Moshiur Rahman of the Department of Mathematics and Associate Professor Asaduzzaman Mondal of the Department of Public Administration. Asaduzzaman Mondal is also the General Secretary of the BRU Teachers Association. Both were named in the murder case involving Abu Sayed, the BRU student who was killed during the anti-discrimination student movement on July 16.

The other seven suspended are Hafizur Rahman, assistant registrar, Mahbuba Akhter, deputy registrar sociology section, Rafiul Hasan Russell of the prosecutor’s office, Touhidul Islam Jony, deputy registrar security division; employees Amir Hossain, Ashikun Nahar TukTuki and Nur Nabi.

Shawkat Ali, speaking to reporters outside the Administration Building, said eight out of ten union members present at today’s meeting supported the decisions aimed at restoring order in the university.

Since Abu Sayed’s death on July 16, attendance at the campus has declined, with faculty, staff and students submitting leave requests to avoid returning. However, the university has now decided to revoke these leave requests, he said.

According to a university investigation, 91 people – two professors, seven clerks and 72 students – were identified as skipping work since July 16, with alleged involvement in Sayed’s death.

The union chose to file a case against those involved.

BRU had banned political activities by students on campus on August 12, but expanding that ban to include faculty, officials and staff was a priority, the VC said.

The University will no longer tolerate activities such as extortion, bid rigging or trading in dorms. Further, any member of the university found involved in political party affiliations will face immediate suspension and disciplinary action, he added.

The VC said the university has formed a body to collect statements from the people involved, though many have yet to comply with the inquiry.

Ramjan Ali, Abu Sayed’s brother, filed the original murder case on August 18, and the BRU is to file a separate case targeting those involved in the death.

Union members present at the meeting included Mr. Shahidul Islam, Rangpur Divisional Commissioner; Prof Humayun Kabir Chowdhury of Jagannath University; Prof. Siraj Ud Doula of Chittagong University and Prof. Motiur Rahman of BRU.

The VC also said that five posts on the 15-member union remain vacant.