Withdrawal of cases against victims still being demanded

Progressive Student Alliance, a platform of four left leaning student organisations of Rajshahi University, yesterday demanded immediate withdrawal of the cases against general students over the February 2 violence.
They raised the demand at a press conference at the university's central cafeteria.
On February 2, over 100 students and eight journalists were injured when some armed Bangladesh Chhatra League men backed by police attacked them who were demonstrating against a fee hike and evening master's programmes on the campus.
On the contrary, the following day, the university authorities, police and BCL filed six cases with Motihar police accusing more than 750 general students.
The alliance also demanded immediate lifting of the restriction on organisational and cultural activities on the campus and election to Rajshahi University Central Students Union (Rucsu).
Addressing the press conference, several students said due to the cases they could not move freely on the campus because of the fear of arrest.
Although they were assured several times that the cases would be withdrawn, no step was taken, they alleged.
Among others, Sohrab Hossain, president of RU Samajtantrik Chhatra Front; and Faruk Emon, president of Chhatra Federation, addressed the programme.
Prof Chowdhury Sarwar Jahan, pro-vice chancellor of RU, said to maintain a congenial environment, a ban on all kinds of procession, rally and the use of megaphones was imposed on March 3.
About withdrawal of the cases, he said they were waiting for the report of an RU committee formed to probe the violence.