DU VC gets another 'threat letter'

Dhaka University (DU) Vice-chancellor (VC) Prof AAMS Arefin Siddique received another death threat at his office yesterday.

The writers in the letter threatened to kill Prof Arefin tomorrow as the VC sat in a meeting with the leaders of sector commanders' forum on the campus recently.

They said they can't do organisational activities of the Hizb ut-Tahrir Bangladesh at the university since Prof Arefin became the VC.

Earlier on Sunday, Arefin Siddique received death threat through two letters sent by post to the VC office. In the Sunday's letters, the writer identified himself as Abdul Hamid and claimed to be a leader of Hizb ut-Tahrir.

Delwar and an employee of the registrar building, Hamid, sent the yesterday's letter by post to the VC office around 1:00pm.

DU authorities said Hamid is a third-class employee of the university. Talking to reporters, Hamid denied his involvement with the threat and termed it a part of conspiracy against him.

Arefin Siddique told reporters that he is not worried about his security rather he wanted to prevail a congenial atmosphere on the campus.

Meanwhile, the alumni association of mass communication and journalism department at DU and Bangladesh Chhatra League separately brought out processions and held rallies on the campus yesterday protesting the death threat to Dr Arefin.

Various organisations, including the National Front of Teachers and Employees, Bangladesh Chhatra Federation and Bangladesh Awami Hawkers League condemned the threats and demanded punishment to culprits.