Moreover, the role of Vice-Chancellor Professor AJM Nuruddin Chowdhury in this regard triggered resentment among the teachers, students and activists of BNP student front Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD).

Jamaat-backed teachers and employees have established their supremacy over all appointments and promotions.

The latest appointment of a 'controversial' teacher as head of finance department raised question about the neutrality of VC. Soon after the appointment, JCD at a rally termed the VC "agent" of Jamaat and held a series of programmes demanding cancellation of the appointment.

Prof Nuruddin appointed pro-Jamaat teacher Professor Dr. Zahirul Haq as head of Finance Department on July 17. But, it was Dr. ANM Abdul Moktadir's turn to become the chairman on the basis of seniority.

Dr. Zahirul Haq, the then Finance Department chairman, was sacked from the university in 1995 for his alleged link to a question paper leakage incident. He got back his job on special consideration when Justice Shahabuddin Ahmed was the chancellor of the university.

Dr Moktadir lodged a complaint with the Pro-Vice Chancellor seeking fair judgment.

General Students' Council against Corruption and Irregularities (GSCCI), a

forum of general students, and Chittagong University Teachers' Association

(Cuta) also demanded cancellation of Dr Zahirul Haq's appointment.

Dr Moktadir said, the VC deprived me of my lawful right. "I just want justice in this regard," he added.

However, VC Nuruddin told The Daily Star that the appointment was made after a legal decision came from the office of Attorney General of Bangladesh. He was appointed chairman of the department only to complete his tenure that he could not perform following an order to terminate him, the VC said.

Meanwhile, the Department of Geography has finalised the promotion of pro-Jamaat teacher Dr Md Abu Tayeb Chowdhury on a suggestion of the syndicate in violation of the rules. The university act says an associate professor will have to discharge his/her duty at least five years to be a professor. But Dr Tayeb discharged his duty as an assistant professor for only two years, including one year on ad-hoc basis. But, the syndicate meeting on June 27 suggested Dr Tayeb's promotion. The next syndicate meeting is likely to approve his promotion, sources said.

Around 95 teachers and 90 class three and class four employees have so far been appointed in the university since 2002. Almost all of the appointees have political affiliation. Of 95 teachers, over 60 were appointed, defying the planning committee recommendation. Besides, 70 of them reportedly belong to Pro-Jamaat Islami Chhatra Shibir and the rest to JCD.

Besides, 90 of the employees were appointed on political considerations or locals as well as relations of the VC, sources said.

Over 25 of the appointees have close link with the ruling BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami. They are still directly or indirectly involved with the politics of ruling coalition government, it added.

Around 30 other appointees hail from village Madarsha under Hathazari upazila of VC Nuruddin. The VC has misused his power to recruit the persons having blood or family relationship with him, sources alleged.

CUTA General Secretary Professor Dr. Gazi Saleh Uddin demanded an end to all illegal and political appointments.