BCL forgives 8 activists

The central committee of Bangladesh Chhatra League has withdrawn the suspension order of eight leaders and activists of its Rajshahi University unit, including former vice-president AKM Tawhid Alam Akheruzzaman Takim and organising secretary Towhid Al Tuhin.
The two hit newspaper headlines when they brandished firearms during a clash with the members of Islami Chhatra Shibir on October 2 on the campus.
The decision has drawn criticism from many BCL leaders and activists and general students, who said it would incite more violence on the campus.
An emergency meeting of the BCL's central executive committee on Thursday withdrew the suspension order, confirmed Sheikh Russell, office secretary of the pro-Awami League student body.
The committee decided this a day after Takim sustained critical injuries following an attack on him on the campus allegedly by several members of Shibir.
The others who were taken back into BCL's fold are former RU unit president Awal Kabir Joy and general secretary Mazedul Islam Opu, Bangabandhu Hall unit convener Shah Muhammad Selim, Madar Bux Hall unit convener Ruhul Amin Babu and activists Tarikul Islam and Al Amin.
Takim and Tuhin have been restored to their posts. They were suspended on July 16 this year due to their alleged involvement in the murder of BCL's Sher-e-Bangla Hall unit joint convener Abdullah Al Hasan Sohel.
Takim was made the vice-president though he lost his studentship for not attending the required number of classes in two academic years.
Contacted, RU unit BCL president Ahmed Ali said the suspension order against the eight has been withdrawn as they have made sacrifices for the organisation.
THREE 'SHIBIR' MEN ARRESTED
Police arrested three suspected cadres of Islami Chhatra Shibir from near Rajshahi University yesterday in a case over attacking RU unit BCL leader AKM Tawhid Alam Akheruzzaman Takim.
The law enforcers rounded up Omar Faruque Babu, Delwar Rahman Omit and Shanta around 5:00pm from Mirzapur and Binodpur areas, said Sanaul Haque, officer-in-charge of Motihar Police Station.
On Wednesday night, a group of Shibir cadres pounced on Takim, suspended vice-president of RU unit Bangladesh Chhatra League, on the campus and hit him on the head with a hammer. As Takim fell to the ground, the gang cut a tendon in his left leg.
The following night, deputy public affairs secretary of BCL Shahinur Islam Shakil filed a case with Motihar Police Station against 35 Jamaat-Shibir men, including Jamaat leader Mazedur Rahman, RU unit Shibir president Ashraful Alam Imon and general secretary Shaifuddin Yeahea for carrying out the attack.
Takim was admitted to Rajshahi Medical College and Hospital, from where he was shifted to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) Hospital in Dhaka for better treatment.
Hospital sources said he underwent surgery in his head at the BSMMU Hospital and has been on life support since Friday afternoon.