Under fire, BCL expels 2 RU leaders

Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) has expelled two of its leaders at the Rajshahi University (RU) unit a day after armed attack on the students of the university.

The central committee of the Awami League’s student front on Monday night said the unit's Joint General Secretary Nasim Ahmed Setu and Organising Secretary Shamsuzzaman Emon have been rusticated following a decision.

It also said the organisational measures following investigations will be taken against anyone else who was involved in the incident.

It also urged the authorities to resume university activities for the sake of the general students.

Armed Chhatra League activists, equipped with firearms and backed by police, on Sunday had attacked the students who were demonstrating against fee hikes and evening-shift master's courses.

Over 50 students of Rajshahi University and several journalists were injured.

The authorities on Sunday night closed the university indefinitely, ordering the resident students to vacate the hostels by 8am on Monday.

Photos published in newspapers and video clips telecast by TV channels showed BCL leaders and activists standing alongside the law-enforcing agencies and shooting at the agitating students.

BCL university unit's Organising Secretaries Shamsuzzaman Emon, Al-Galib and Foysal Ahmed Runu, Joint General Secretaries Mahbubur Rahman Palash and Nasim Ahmed Setu, Environment Affairs Secretary Mustakin Billah and another leader, Sudipta Salam, were seen wielding firearms on the campus during the attacks on the students.

However, the ruling party student front, which has come under fire for carrying the attacks, on Monday formed a five-strong committee to investigate the incident on its own.

The organisational action came hours after it was formed.