Expulsion of 11 Activists

SUST paralysed as BCL enforces strike

12 August 2009, 17:00 PM

Staff Correspondent, Sylhet

Classes and examinations at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) could not be held yesterday as a faction of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) enforced strike on the campus to press home its five-point demand. BCL university unit has been divided into two factions--Moloy and Raju factions--over taking control of the campus. Activists of Moly faction enforced the strike yesterday. They also urged the university authorities to meet the demands by August 15. Otherwise, they threatened to call an indefinite strike on the campus from August 16. The demands include withdrawal of expulsion orders on 11 of their fellows, punitive action against those who attacked the student messes Tuesday afternoon and recovery of arms from the dormitories. At least five activists belonging to Moloy and Raju factions were injured during the attack. Both factions blamed each other for the incident. Raju led faction filed a case with Kotwali Police Station against 19 of their rival group yesterday. Moloy faction also filed a case against 26 activists of Raju faction. The university authorities at an emergency meeting on Tuesday night expelled 11 activists of Raju and Moloy factions for attack on student messes. Vice-Chancellor Prof Saleh Uddin Ahmed chaired the meeting. Campus sources said activists of Moloy faction swooped on Samiul of Raju faction at Nayabazar area near the university campus at around 3:30pm on Tuesday, leaving him seriously injured. He is now undergoing treatment at Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital. As the news spread on the campus, activists belonging to Raju faction rushed to the Nayabazar area and attacked two student messes. They also ransacked five rooms of their rivals. Proctor and other officials along with the law enforcers rushed to the scene and brought the situation under control.