Campus sources said Professor Kazi Mustafizur Rahman took office as the department chair following the retirement of Dr Mukhlesur Rahman recently.

He also took possession of the room that belonged to Dr Mukhlesur after discussing it with other teachers of the department and put up his nameplate on the door of room no 212 at Shahidullah Arts Building on Saturday. Traditionally a senior teacher gets the possession of the room.

Hearing the news, Prof Yakub Ali, a pro-Jamaat teacher of the department, along with other junior teachers and staff ransacked the furniture of the room and replaced the nameplate with his own, a teacher of the department told newsman.

Following the incident, heated words were exchanged between Prof Mustafizur Rahman and Prof Yakub Ali on the matter, sources said.

When contacted, Prof Mustafizur Rahman said 'I have already informed the vice-chancellor and other high officials about the matter.'

On the contrary, Prof Yakub Ali refused the allegation and said, 'I do not know who ransacked Prof Mustafizur's room and who put up my nameplate.'

A number of teachers of the department alleged that some pro-Jamaat teachers always tried to establish their supremacy in the department.

They also demanded exemplary punishment to the persons responsible.