'BCL attack' leaves Chhatra Union men, cultural activist injured

Two leaders of Bangladesh Chhatra Union and a cultural activist were injured when Bangladesh Chhatra League activists allegedly attacked a procession of the former, demanding arrest of the murderers of blogger Ananta Bijoy Das, in Sylhet city Tuesday night.

 Saptashi Das, general secretary of Sylhet district unit Chhatra Union, suffered heavy bruises in the arms and legs, while the unit's treasurer Roni Das and Udichi's Sylhet unit joint secretary Shah Newaj Shohag sustained minor wounds in the arms, Roni told The Daily Star from MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital where all three were admitted.

He said the attack came 30 minutes after Chhatra Union activists stopped BCL's Sylhet district unit President Shahriar Alam Samad when he was driving his motorcycle speedily through the procession, which was headed towards the Central Shaheed Minar.

"We tried to stop him but he was defiant. Initially he didn't say anything. But he came with a gang and attacked us when we were about to end our rally at the Shaheed Minar," he said.

There were 15-20 attackers, and they were carrying iron rods, hockey sticks, and bamboo poles, said Paplu Bangli, president of Sylhet city Chhatra Union. 

A cloth trader near the Shaheed Minar said when attacked, the protesters numbering 40-50 ran off to save themselves.

Paplu said Saptashi took shelter in a public toilet but the attackers dragged him out and slammed his arms and legs with sticks.

BCL leader Shahriar denied beating up anyone, but Officer-in-Charge of Kotwali Police Station Suhel Ahmed said there was an attack and that additional police were deployed to avert clashes.