“Won't go for hunger strike, we are under immense pressure”

Twelve leaders, who were expelled from Eden Mohila College BCL unit, today (September 26, 2022) went to Awami League party president's political office in Dhanmondi to observe fast-unto-death, protesting against their expulsion.

But they came out of the AL office after a one-hour stay there from around 12:15pm, our Dhaka University correspondent reports.

When the leaders were leaving the office, journalists asked Jannatul Ferdausi, expelled vice-president of Eden College BCL, about holding their protest programme in the office. But she did not speak to media.

A little later, some other leaders, including Samia Akhter Boishakhi, who was organising secretary of Eden College BCL, were seen coming out of the main gate.

Asked, she replied, "We had come here to observe for a hunger strike, but we are leaving now. We will not go on the strike. We are under immense pressure. We will not talk to the media. Don't ask us any more questions."

According to sources, when the 12 leaders went to the office, AL central working committee member Abdul Awal Shamim and deputy office secretary Sayem Khan went there.

Shamim threatened the leaders and asked them to leave the office immediately.

Earlier, they leaders were barred from entering the office but later, they were allowed to go in.

Yesterday, two groups of Chhatra League locked into a clash due to the internal conflict, the Eden Mohila College Chhatra League's committee was suspended and its 17 leaders and activists were expelled in the late-night.

When contacted with AL Deputy Office Secretary Sayem Khan to know the overall situation, he did not receive the phone.