Only one and a half months into the second consecutive tenure of the Awami League government, its student front Chhatra League has indulged in more than a dozen violence in several institutions much to the embarrassment of the government.
Most of the Awami League Leaders are upset at the violent activities of Chhatra League saying that the student wing in the previous five-year tenure of the party marred all “excellent initiatives” of the government.
They said if the government failed to reign in its student wing it would have to pay dearly. They, however, said the prime minister was concerned about the matter and she would take necessary steps like that of the punishment meted out to the Biswajit killers.
Leaders and activists of the Chhatra League during the regime of the immediate past government [2009-2014] were involved in mindless violence, extortion and killing. At that time, their mindless acts killed at least 10 people including a tailor Biswajit Das that shocked the public conscience.
On the 25th day after the government headed by Sheikh Hasina was formed on January 12, 2014, a group of Chhatra League men launched an attack on Rajshahi University students who were agitating against additional fees and evening Master’s Degree Courses.
Soon after the occurrence the Chhatra League central committee expelled three of its activists of the RU Unit.
On February 22, Chhatra League’s internecine clash left 22 of its activists injured in Azam Khan Commerce College in Khulna. Besides, on February 19 and 20 Chhatra League men attacked the administrative office of Rokeya University as their candidates of choice were not appointed as employees.
Earlier, on January 30, Rokeya University unit Chharta League assaulted its rival student wing Chhatra Dal activists.
On Monday some female activists of Chhatra League Badrunnesa College unit manhandled an activist of Chharta Dal of the same institution and the same day a case was filed against two Chhatra League leaders of Manikganj for abducting a college girl.
When asked about the violent acts of Chhatra League Awami League presidium member Obaidul Quader said his government was hell-bent on taking action against miscreants, no matter if he belongs to his party or not.
Referring to the judgment on Biswajit murderer he said those involved in violence in Rajshahi University would not go unpunished.
Communications Minister Obaidul Quader, also in charge of Chharta League, said: “The party several times has been embarrassed for their anti-organisational activities.”
When contacted Siddique Nazmul Alam, General Secretary of Chharta League Central Committee, said that they were victims of politics of another party.
He said that they were taking organisational action against the culprits.
“We are expelling those involved in terrorism and dissolving the committees that indulge in such anti-organisational activities,” he said.
However, Siddique Najmul Alam too reportedly threatened a government official of the Directorate General of Health Service (DGHS) with dire consequence if he did not give him the job worth Tk20 crore of supplying medicine and surgical instrument to hospitals.
Sources said Najmul along with another Chhatra League leader went to the director of the hospital and clinic of the DGHS Professor ABM Abdul Hannan on February 17 and put pressure on him to allocate the job in favour of him without tender.
After the incident, Dr ABM Abdul Hannan brought the matter to the notice of Health Minister Mohammad Nasim.
The Chhatra League secretary however denied the allegation
“Nothing happened with the director of the DGHS. I went there with a request for one of my neighbours but I have not bargained with him.” he said.
Source: UNBConnect
