BCL men ‘acting like militants’

Chhatra League’s recent activities resemble those of militants, Ducsu Vice-president Nurul Haque Nur said yesterday.

He also alleged that Bangladesh Chhatra League men are attacking with an intention to kill him.

The BCL is deviating from the principles of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, he told a press conference at the Madhur Canteen on Dhaka University campus.

Nur and his friends were assaulted allegedly by local BCL activists in Bogura on Sunday while they were taking preparations to hold an iftar party. He was also barred from holding an iftar party in Brahmanbaria the previous day.

“I was attacked the day I became VP… I think these are pre-planned and aimed to kill me. I request the prime minister to bring them to justice,” he said.

“When the people’s backs are against the wall, they take to the streets.”

People have seen what the BCL activists had done wielding hammars and wearing helmets during the demonstrations for quota reform and safe roads, he said, adding that none of the attackers had been brought to book.

“The Chhatra League told me that if I wanted to be the vice president or joint general secretary, I would be included in the central committee of the organisation. The Chhatra League’s central secretary said this…

“They told me at different times if I join Chhatra League, they would provide me with all sorts of benefits.

“Now it seems that since I didn’t go with them or didn’t agree to their proposal, they are attacking me. I fear for my life.”

He then claimed that he had called several BCL central leaders when he was barred from holding an iftar party in Brahmanbaria.

“They assured me that they would take steps but the same thing happened the next day.

“Brahmanbaria BCL president declared that our programme would be resisted… Before going to Bogura I called local police officials and asked for security. But they said they could not help at the moment.”

The BCL last night issued a press release stating that it had formed a committee consisting of its Legal Affairs Secretary Fuad Hossain and legal affairs deputy secretaries Sujan Sheikh and Shahadul Hasan to probe into the allegations brought by Nur.

The committee is asked to visit the scenes and collect information and submit its report by three work days, said the press release.

If any BCL leaders or activists are found guilty, actions would follow, it added.