BCL activist shot dead

IT is deplorable that the unrelenting infighting of Bangladesh Chhatra League for establishing dominance over Chittagong University has resulted in the death of Taposh Sarkar, a first-year BCL activist, on Sunday.

The factional divide has spiraled out of control over the last few months, as reported by the media, all but paralysing the university. Even the Prime Minister herself last month warned the members to stop the frequent infighting on campus. The murder of Taposh signals that even the primier's warning is not enough to discipline the unruly activists who are bent on wreaking havoc on campus, jeopardising students' lives and hampering educational activities, in their turf war.

The out-of-control behaviour of BCL activists and their disrespect towards their leader raise grave concerns about the debased priorities of the reigning student wing. This year alone, we witnessed countless incidents of BCL men inflicting violence, not only on each other, but against others as well. In most cases, no serious action was taken to rein them in by the university administration, the government or the party.

Why has no one been arrested for the murder of Taposh? Why is the police as well as university administration silent on the issue? We can only assume that everyone is powerless in the face of BCL's power play.  

AL can no longer ignore the threat of BCL activists to the party itself, let alone the harm it is causing to universities, students and the nation at large. It must take strong action to stop the cycle of violence.