A Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) leader of Rajshahi University (RU) unit has allegedly attacked an examination centre because a scheduled test had not been deferred as per his wishes.
At least four teachers and 10 students were assaulted during the rumpus on Tuesday.
The trouble began while an MA test in Islamic History and Culture was on.
Department Chairperson Prof Syeda Nure Kaseda Khatun said a student named Mehedi Hasan had called her on Monday night to request her to postpone the test.
Hasan is the vice president of the university unit of the BCL, the student wing of ruling Awami League.
Claiming that he was sick, he requested the teachers to postpone the exam date. But the department decided to stick to the already announced schedule.
The teachers found the exam hall locked when they arrived in the morning to make arrangements.
One hour into the examination, Hasan, along with 15-20 of his supporters, ransacked the hall, the department chairperson said.
Two teachers, who tried to stop them, were manhandled, and other chased away.
The BCL boys snatched the answer scripts from candidates and assaulted some of them, Prof Khatun said.
“I took the female students to a safer place and informed the university administration and police. They arrived and brought the situation under control,” she said.
Students said Hasan was accompanied by the university unit BCL vice president Rana Chowdhury, joint general secretary Mahbubur Rahman Palash, and secretaries Mostakim Billah and Aslam.
Palash and Mostakim were among the BCL leaders seen brandishing arms during the Feb 2 attack on students agitating for the cancellation of evening courses.
Prof Khatun said 108 students had agreed to take the test, and that she was not quite convinced about the sickness claim of one student.
“We have asked the university administration to take measures against them,” she said.
Hasan was not available for comment.
BCL leader Rana Chowdhury denied the allegation of the attack. “We requested the department authorities to postpone the exam as one of our friends fell ill.”
BCL General Secretary Touhid Al Tuhin said they would take action against Hasan for harassing the teachers.
But BCL President Mizanur Rahman had a different view.
He said the teachers forced the students to take the test against their wishes.
“The students have protested against it. Chhatra League is not involved here,” he said.
Pro Vice Chancellor Chowdhury Sarwar Jahan Sajal said, “Such an incident is unacceptable. We will take action against those responsible.”
Source: BD news24
