Jahangirnagar University, Feb 2 (bdnews24.com) — A faction of Bangladesh Chhatra League's (BCL) Jahangirnagar University unit has allegedly captured a dormitory with the help of the authorities.
Students said armed leaders of the BCL faction, along with the proctor and assistant proctors, tried to enter Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall around 10pm on Tuesday.
BCL members, who had been controlling the dormitory, chased them away and managed to shut the main gate of the hall.
In the early hours on Wednesday, police conducted a drive in the dormitory. And the 'change of power' took place in presence of police, students claim.
Earlier, the university authorities suspended JU unit BCL president Rashedul Islam Shafin and general secretary Nirjhar Alam Shammayo, and expelled several others following a violent clash between their supporters on July 5 last year over the control of another dormitory.
The suspended students alleged on Tuesday that the clash was instigated by vice-chancellor Sharif Enamul Kabir.
At least 150 activists siding with the president and secretary had been residing outside the campus as their security was under threat, the former student leaders claimed.
Vice-president S M Niamul Parvez, S M Shamim, Sheikh Mohammad Sharif and joint secretary Asgar Ali, who was expelled by the party central committee, were reportedly active during the takeover of the dormitory.
Several students, requesting anonymity, told bdnews24.com that Shamim had been carrying a firearm during their first attempt to enter the hall.
Police were silent when the armed members of the faction, backed by the administration, entered the dormitory along with assistant proctor Kamal Hossain around 1am on Wednesday.
Ashulia police chief Sirajul Islam told reporters "we had nothing to do as they entered the hall with the assistant proctor."
Former president Shafin's follower 'Sadi' and his associates fled before the drive at 1am began.
Sadi told reporters that proctor Arju Mia held a meeting with them at Salam-Barkat Hall around 8pm to settle the issue. "But we opposed the entry of Sharif as his was no longer a student," he said.
Police detained 'Raju' of Bengali department and 'Aslam' of government and politics department, both members of the administration-backed faction, with hammers and iron rods.
Additional superintendent of Dhaka district police Sheikh Rafiqul Islam told reporters that the two were freed afterwards on bond following a request from provost Abdul Mannan. Provost Mannan said, "Steps will be taken after investigation against those who entered the hall with weapons."
Islam said a large number of rods and a firearm were seized.
The proctor and his assistants, however, refused to comment on the matter.
Shafin alleged that the vice-chancellor ordered the drive in order to ensure entry for students of his hometown.
Vice-chancellor Sharif Enamul Kabir and the two leaders of the faction that took over control of the dormitory hail from Gopalganj.
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