7 hurt as BCL men attack RU protesters

At least six students and a journalist were injured when Chhatra League activists attacked a group of students protesting the screening of commercial film “Dohon” at Rajshahi University yesterday.

The incident took place around 3:30pm in front of Kazi Nazrul Islam Auditorium in presence of the proctor and Motihar police.

In a Facebook post on Wednesday, “Dohon” producer Jaaz Multimedia announced to screen the film on RU campus. The decision created mixed reactions among students, with many opposing the use of the auditorium for commercial purposes.

Around 2:00pm, some 20 students took to the street and staged a sit-in demanding a stop to the screening, which was scheduled to begin at 3:00pm.

One of the protesters, Chhatra Union President Shakil Hossain, said, “We locked the auditorium gate around 2:50pm and took position before the start of the show. At that time, the proctor [Prof Lutfor Rahman] arrived there and asked all the audience to enter the auditorium. Soon afterwards, BCL activists showed up and attacked us.”

The activists were led by RU BCL General Secretary Faisal Ahmed Runu, BCL organising secretaries Imran Khan Nahid and Sushmoy Zamil, Human Resources Development Affairs Secretary Ferdous Mohammad Srabon, said Shakil, adding that Bangabandhu Projonmo League's RU unit General Secretary Shamim Reza also took part in the attack.

The Daily Star has obtained a video footage of the incident where the BCL men are seen launching an attack on the protesters while the proctor remaining a silent spectator.

Shakil was among the five injured students. The others are Chhatra Union Publicity Affairs Secretary Methun Kumar, Progotishil Chhatra Jote Coordinator Mohabbat Hossain Milon, Chhatra Federation Publicity Affairs Secretary Israfil Alam, and its activists Rashed Rimon and Ashrafrul Alam.

They were treated at the University Medical Centre, and one of them, Methun Kumar, was later admitted to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital with injuries in hand.

When a group of journalists came forward to save the students, the BCL activists attacked them too, leaving Ali Younus Hridoy of the daily Rajshahi and the Kholakagoj injured.

The first screening of the film started after the incident. The tickets were sold at Tk 100 and Tk 60. Students got a 50 percent discount on the prices.

When asked about the attack, BCL General Secretary Faisal Ahmed Runu said, “If we find any proof of the attack, we will take necessary steps.”

The other attackers could not be reached over the phone despite several attempts.

Proctor Lutfor Rahman claimed, “No such incident occurred during my presence. If we find such allegations, we'll look into them and take steps.”

Officer-in-Charge of Motihar Police Station Shahadat Hossain did not pick up the phone.