Protest against attack on Jagannath University students
Students of Jagannath University held a protest march on Tuesday in protest against the attack by a local BNP leader on students of Jagannath University in Dholaikhal in the capital. They demanded the arrest of those involved in the attack and speedy trial.
The protest march started from the university’s central mosque premises this afternoon. The procession passed through the premises of the Social Sciences Faculty and the Science Faculty and ended in front of the 1971 genocide sculpture.
During the protest march, students chanted slogans such as ‘Break the hand that kills a student’, ‘What is the administration doing if a student kills his brother’, ‘We want justice for the attacker, we want justice to save lives’, etc. The students held a short rally after the protest. It is worth noting that the injured students and eyewitnesses said that the incident began on Tipu Sultan Road in Dholaikhal area at around 10 pm on Monday. Jagannath University student Nahid was walking through the Dholaikhal area. He accidentally stepped on the cast of a building under construction. Some locals got into an argument with him. At one point, he was beaten up. On receiving the news, some university students went to rescue him. After they left, the locals also detained them and beat them up.
According to the injured students, the beating and assault was led by local BNP leader Shahidul Haque Shahid. He is the BNP leader of Ward No. 38 (Wari Police Station). He is also the general secretary of the Nawabpur Shop Owners Association. However, Shahidul Haque was called several times today to inquire about this, but he did not receive the calls.
Today, at the Jagannath students’ protest rally, Shahin Mia, a student of the history department, said, “We want a fair trial for the heinous attack on students in Dholaikhal yesterday. Regardless of the party, group, or opinion of the attackers, they must be brought under the law. We are united and uncompromising on the issue of Jagannath University.
Law department student and university branch Shibir general secretary Riazul Islam said, “Bring Shahidul and his friends who attacked the students, no matter who they are, under the law. Otherwise, if a different situation arises, you will have to take responsibility for it.”
Samajtantrik Chhatra Front university branch president Ivan Tahsib said at the rally, “Even though the law enforcement agencies arrived at the scene yesterday, why didn’t they immediately arrest them (the attackers)?… We, the students of Jagannath University, will appeal to the administration, you will play a role here as guardians. If necessary, file a case directly against the criminals.”
