Govt determined to deal with campus violence: AL leaders

Worried at the irreparable losses in academic activities for what they said due to BNP-Jamaat's pre-election destructive political programmes in the name of movement, leaders of the ruling Awami League (AL) have said they are determined to maintain a congenial atmosphere in all educational institutions for the smooth execution of their academic calendar.
"Our stance is clear, we don't want to see further disturbance in educational institutions," AL presidium member Kazi Zafarullah told UNB over telephone.
He also said that the violent activities that are taking place in different educational institutions across the country are unwarranted, and both the government and AL are determined to deal with those with an iron hand. "We're taking quick but peaceful steps to resolve all the problems of campus violence, and actions will be taken against those responsible, no matter who they are," he said.
Talking about the alleged involvement of pro-AL Chhatra League's (BCL's) alleged involvement in some incidents of campus violence, he said: "They (BCL) get involved when they're provoked by the activists of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal and Chhatra Shibir."
"If the Chhatra Dal and Shibir terrorists attack the BCL, they've the right to save themselves from the attacks. BCL's reaction comes when the action comes against them from the Chhatra Dal and Chhatra Shibir men."
In this connection, he mentioned that the "terrorists" of BNP-Jamaat-Chhatra Dal-Shibir destroyed a large of number of educational institutions and attacked the progressive student organisations, including BCL.
He said AL President and Prime Minister have issued strict instructions to maintain peaceful and congenial atmosphere in academic institutions at any cost.
Shrugging off the AL leaders' blame, BNP student affairs secretary and ex-president of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, the student wing of BNP, Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee, said: "The government is responsible for the unrest in campus as it is using its associate student body, BCL, to establish its supremacy in educational institutions.
He, however, regretted, "When our national politics is infected how we could think of ideal student politics?"
Mentioning that the student leaders of all other educational institutions follow the Dhaka University (DU) student politics, Anee said the DU VC can take an initiative to bring a positive change in the culture of the student politics in consultation of all other student bodies.
BNP standing committee member Lt Gen Mahbubur Rahman, however, blamed gross erosion of social and political values for the current violent student politics and the rot in the political culture.
He thinks the authorities concerned should ensure coexistence and proper academic atmosphere on the campus apart from apolitical administrations in educational institutions to check the growing campus violence.
On March 6, Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) expelled seven leaders and activists of its Muktijoddha Ziaur Rahman Hall unit of DU over a factional clash.
On Wednesday (March 5), two factions of the BCL's hall unit locked into a clash over stealing shoes, leaving at least two injured. On March 5, supporters of the BCL unit president and secretary clashed at the Madhu's Canteen on the campus.