JCD vandalism vitiate RU academic atmosphere

The JCD activists, joined by Islami Chhatra Shibir, have made teachers, students and the administration virtually hostage, they alleged. The university authorities do not dare to go against their will.

Friday's explosion at JCD leader Shafin Ahmed's room at Nawab Abdul Latif Hall while making bomb was the latest incident of violence. More such explosives are there in possession of some JCD and Shibir activists on the campus, kept only to keep it under their control, the sources claimed.

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They are demanding 'party quota' in recruitment of 350 class III and class IV employees, now being processed by the university authorities.

The sources claimed that some JCD activists took money from a number of job seekers, assuring them jobs.

Bombs were being made at Shafin's room to create anarchy on the campus after the ongoing summer vacation if party men are not recruited, the sources claimed adding that he also supplied explosives and arms to party cadres in previous clashes and incidents of violence.

Shafin of Jhinaidah district is accused in at least 15 criminal cases, filed with different police stations in Rajshahi and Jhenidah, the sources claimed.

In December last year, two bombs exploded in front of Shafin's room in the same hall, police sources said.

In January this year, at least 20 JCD activists were injured in a clash between two groups on the campus, when Shafin exploded three bombs.

Campus sources said, in last three months, at least 12 party men, some teachers and students were injured when rival JCD factions clashed on the campus.

JCD cadres vandalised some small shops on the campus and snatched at least four mobile phones as shopkeepers declined to pay them toll.

On June 2, JCD men dismantled 12 electrical poles in front of Agrani Bank and beat up university security guards.

Last month, some JCD men attempted to kidnap a student from in front of Bangabandhu Hall after he drew Tk 25,000 from the bank for his treatment. Hr was rescued by other students.

In December last year, some JCD activists from Latif Hall kidnapped an admission seeker and released him after realising Tk 50,000 as toll, campus sources said.

In March this year, the same group of JCD men kidnapped a student from Binodpur area and released him after payment of Tk 5,000 ransom.

Various development programmes of the university are suspended and construction farms stopped work as JCD men demanded toll from them.

Renovation of Shaheed Habibur Rahman Hall was suspended for several months as JCD activists demanded a big amount of toll from the construction firm. The work resumed after negotiation, campus sources said.

JCD cadres vandalised at least 30 office rooms of the university and torched a teacher's room, demanding admission of party men in first year courses. The university authorities later withdrew admission quotas for players, artists and freedom fighters' wards.

When asked about alleged involvement of JCD activists in violence, RU JCD convener Nuruzzman Likhon said some expelled party men are doing this on the campus to damage the party image.