Attack on JCD: BNP demands DU VC's removal

Protesting Bangladesh Chhatra League’s attack on the leaders and activists of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), BNP on Wednesday demanded the removal of Dhaka University (DU) Vice-Chancellor (VC) Prof Akhtaruzzman for his ‘failure’ to ensure students’ safety on the campus.

Speaking at a press conference at the party chairperson’s Gulshan office, he also said the newly formed committee members of the JCD DU unit, led by its president and general secretary, entered the university campus around 4 pm Tuesday with a bouquet to meet the VC taking permission as per the traditional practice, reports UNB.

But, Fakhrul said the Chhatra League ‘cadres’ attacked the JCD leaders and workers on the campus. “It can be said they (JCD men) were severely beaten with bamboos with a motive to kill them.”

He said the injured JCD leaders and activists have been receiving treatment at different hospitals in the capital.

”We strongly condemn and protest this medieval barbaric attack and demand the expulsion of the identified terrorists from the university and appropriate legal action against them. We also demand the removal of the vice-chancellor of the university who has completely failed to provide security to the students,” the BNP leader said.

He alleged that anarchy has been created in the higher educational institutions across the country due to violence and clashes by the BCL ‘cadres’ and their internal feuds. “You’ve seen what happened at an Eden College hostel a few days ago and what happened in Chittagong University before that. “Everywhere they indulge in internal conflicts, but the general students have to suffer.”

After the press conference, Fakhrul visited the injured JCD leaders at Islami Bank Hospital in Kakrail and talked to them and doctors.

Later talking to reporters, he said 15 JCD leaders were injured in the attack of the Chhatra League on the DU campus.

Of them, Fakhrul said seven are receiving treatment at the Islami Bank Hospital with serious injuries while the condition of two leaders is very critical.

“It has been proved through this barbaric attack on Dhaka University campus that Awami League is a terrorist and Chhatra League is their goons. They have created an anarchic situation in educational institutions across the country by resorting to terror acts,” he observed.

Later, the BNP secretary general went to Dhanmondi to visit Jahangir, who was injured in an attack by police on BNP’s recent rally in Munshiganj.