Prof Moloy Bhoumick, chairman of music and drama department at Rajshahi University (RU) yesterday demanded investigation into the charges brought against him by the teachers of the department.

At a press conference on the campus, he also urged the university authorities to take legal steps against the culpable persons who brought 'baseless' allegations against him.

Prof Bhoumick arranged the press conference as the teachers of the department went on 'indefinite' work abstention from Saturday demanding his removal as

departmental head.

The teachers alleged that Prof Bhoumick took several arbitrary decisions ignoring the academic and planning committee since taking office on November 10,2009.

Other allegations against Prof Bhoumick include fixing the Masters final examination date of the 2009 batch brushing aside the concern of other members of the examination committee and issuing of threats and misbehaviour with colleagues.

Claiming himself innocent, Prof Bhoumick said he neither took any arbitrary decision nor defied the university acts. He said that the Masters final examination date was fixed by the examination committee but now they (members of the examination committee) are blaming him.

He said after his takeover he brought back congenial atmosphere for study and research work at the department and removed session jam and other problems but some teachers could not 'accept' the 'positive steps' as he was made chairman from Management department.

Prof Bhoumick also alleged that the teachers locked his office and used defamatory words against him instead of demanding probe.

Meanwhile, the teachers and students of different years of the department yesterday staged a sit-in in front the vice chancellor's residence for two hours at around 2:30pm and in front of the department at Ismail Hossain Siraji Bhaban at around 1:30pm to press their demand.

The teachers also held a counter press conference on the campus at around 4:30pm where they claimed that Prof Moloy Bhomick gave baseless statements before the newsmen.

They also decided to observe a sit-in programme from 8:00am to 2:00pm in front of the residence vice chancellor Prof Abdus Sobhan and vowed to continue their work abstention.

The teachers threatened to go for tougher programme including hunger strike from today if the university authorities did not meet their demand by Sunday.

Sources said, no classes and examinations were held at the department yesterday. The departmental chairman's office remained locked as the teachers put the office under lock and key onThursday.