Bagha Jatin’s Bust: Jubo League leader, two cohorts held for vandalism

Police yesterday arrested a local Jubo League leader and his two associates over vandalising the sculpture of revolutionary freedom fighter Bagha Jatin at Kaya College in Kushtia's Kumarkhali upazila.

According to police, there was a rift between college Principal Harun-ur-Rashid and the president of its governing body, Nizamul Haque Chunnu, over several issues, including interference in college affairs by Nizamul and irregularities in a recent recruitment at the college.

Kushtia Superintendent of Police SM Tanvir Arafath said, "A third party, willing to take over the presidency of the governing body, vandalised the bust of Bagha Jatin by taking advantage of the situation."

Speaking at a press conference yesterday afternoon, the SP said the three were arrested in a case, filed by the college principal on Friday morning under the Special Powers Act.

The arrestees are: Anisur Rahman, 35, Sabuj Hossain, 20, and Hridoy Ahmed, 20. Anisur is the president of Kaya Union Jubo League.

The three were picked up from different places in Kumarkhali upazila early yesterday.

The SP said another accused named Bachchu was on the run. He said the four were directly involved in the incident.

Tanvir said the college night guard witnessed the incident. "Vandals took position near the sculpture around 11:00pm on Thursday. Around two hours later, Anis hit the sculpture three times with a hammer. Then they left the place on a motorcycle."

Jubo Leage leader Anis is from Raydanga village, which is adjacent to the college. He had long been lobbying for the post of the college governing body president, said sources.

Wishing anonymity, a member of the college governing body said some teachers were appointed to the college last year. There were allegations that the recruitments were made in exchange of money.

Nizamul, also a vice president of Awami Tanti League, has been the governing body president for about five years.

Meanwhile, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal staged a protest rally and formed a human chain in Kumarkhali town yesterday over the vandalism of Bagha Jatin's sculpture.

On December 4, vandals damaged an under-construction sculpture of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in Kushtia town.