Editorial
Violence at RU
Go into roots of criminality
The sheer spectacle of the deadly weapons recovered at Rajshahi University the other day provides a glimpse into what could be happening on other campuses across the country. Observe the haul. There are machetes, axes, swords, scythes, hockey sticks, knives, chains, iron rods and hammers. All of these were recovered in the aftermath of a clash between two Chhatra League factions from the residential quarters of the students. Of course, it is nothing new in the recent sordid history of student politics. Other student organisations too have had, indeed have, the very weapons which the authorities at RU have now stumbled upon. The question which now must exercise minds, both in official circles as well as among the general public, is simple: how do student organisations come by such weapons of murderous intent?
The answer is again a simple one. There are certainly links in a chain of criminality which have regularly contributed to a degeneration of the academic atmosphere on campuses throughout the country. It is just that no serious efforts have been made to break those links or even to bring recalcitrant student political activists to account. In the case of this latest incident of a factional clash among BCL workers, strong police action was called for. Of course, a couple of arrests were made. But when there are clear photographic images of BCL activists roaming around in search of their rivals, the aim being to pounce upon them in all the violence they can muster, it becomes the responsibility of the police administration to take swift action. Dispersing violent youths through baton-charging them is not enough.
The proctor of RU has promised action on the incident. Let that action be all encompassing. While action is taken against those in whose possession the sharp weapons were found, let its scope be widened to net those who have supplied these weapons to the students. The roots of the violence must be gone into.
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