Arrest warrants out for BCL activists in 2012 Sylhet MC College dorm arson

A judicial probe has found evidence of the involvement of 29 people, including Bangladesh Chhatra League activists, in the arson of several dormitories at Sylhet MC College.

The investigation committee submitted its report to the Sylhet Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, said Additional Public Prosecutor Mahfuzur Rahman. The judge then issued warrants against the suspects accused in the case.

Preparations are underway to send the warrants to the relevant police stations, Rahman said.

On Jul 8, 2012 clashes between pro-government Bangladesh Chhatra League and opposition-backed Islami Chhatra Shibir activists of Sylhet MC College resulted in the arson of over a hundred dormitory rooms.

Though BCL activists were caught setting fire on video, they were not accused in the initial police investigation. A judicial probe into the issue, however, has accused them.

According to the probe, the violence was the result of the clash between the two student politics groups.

The judicial probe based its report on further interviews of witnesses and suspects, video footage, photographs and previous investigation reports.

The unrest began after ICS activists gravely injured a BCL worker named Ujjal Ahmed, the report said. The dormitories were later set on fire.

Petrol gallons were used to set the fire and the dormitories were looted after the fire was set.

“BCL activists were marching holding sharp weapons as the dormitories burned,” one witness said. “Though police had taken up positions nearby, they did nothing. Afterwards the BCL even held a short meeting near the dormitory gate.”

Among those accused are Sylhet MC College Division BCL President and current Metropolitan Volunteer League General Secretary Debangshu Das Mithu, former Sylhet District BCL President Pankaj Purkaistho, former Sramik League President Abu Sarker (who was not a student of the college), and former Sylhet District BCL Organising Secretary Jahangir Alam.

Hall Superintendent Bashir Ahmed filed a case with Sylhet Metropolitan Police on Jul 13, 2012 over the dormitory arson case. Two other cases were also filed over the incident.