DU Live: The Dhaka University authorities on Thursday formed a three-member probe committee to investigate incidents of extortion by a mobile team, consisting of proctor office members, from makeshift shops on the campus.

A press release signed by DU public relations office director Mahmood Alam confirmed the matter. A news report recently carried by the Daily Observer said that the alleged team members made more than Tk 50 lakh every year from over 300 makeshift shops, illegally erected at different points on the university campus.

Following the report, the university authorities formed the probe body with Professor Md Maksudur Rahman of geography and environment department as its convener.

DU assistant proctor Liton Kumar Saha has been made the member secretary of the committee while the other member of the committee is Professor Dilara Zahid, director of the Institute of Disaster Management and Vulnerability Studies.

The authorities asked the committee to submit the probe report in two weeks, urging all concerned to submit any complaints if they have against any members of the alleged team.

The mastermind of the extortion incidents is alleged to be Md Shamim Hossain, an employee at the proctor office, who usually uses agents to collect money from the stalls.

Meanwhile, an audio recording of a conversation on the collection and distribution of extorted money involving Shamim and his associates went viral on social media.

In this regard, the Dhaka University unit of Bangladesh Chhatra Odhikar Parishad on Thursday issued a press release demanding the expulsion of the individuals involved in the extortion and the reformation of the proctorial mobile team. Otherwise, they warned of launching a tough movement on the campus.

Dhaka, 02 March (campuslive24.com)//BIC