Scientific instruments stolen from RU lab

Scientific instruments, chemicals and other goods worth Tk. 18 lakh were looted from the lab of Genetics Engineering and Biotechnology department of Rajshahi University (RU) on Tuesday night.
Sources said, criminals took away the valuables breaking the locks of 'DNA and Chromosome Research Lab' at Third Science Building at dead of night.
Department sources said, one 4-digit valance (an instrument for measuring weight), two 3-digit valances, one 2-digit valance, four pH meters, six microscope lances, six micro pipettes, spectrophotometer lance, chemicals and some other instruments were looted from the lab.
The stealing came to light yesterday morning when the teachers and students of the department went to the lab for research work.
Sources said guards Selim Reza and Abdur Razzak, who were on duty in front of the Third Science Building on the night, went into hiding after the incident.
Prof Dr Biswanath Shikdar, chairman of the department yesterday filed a general diary (GD) with Motihar police station in this connection.
The academic committee of the department also held an emergency meeting with Prof Shikdar in the chair at around 11.30am.
At the meeting, the department demanded compensation for the looted instruments and other valuables from RU authorities.
It also urged the university authorities to identify the culprits investigating the matter with the help of law enforcers as soon as possible and to strengthen the security at the department.
Later, the academic committee submitted a memorandum to the university vice chancellor Prof Abdus Sobhan in this regard.
Prof Biswanath Shikdar, told this correspondent that the looted valuables would be worth Tk. 18 lakh.