Opposition lawmaker Kader Siddiqui expressed deep anguish at the beating of Dhaka University students, many of whom were admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, prompting Bhuiyan to say that he did not know until then what exactly had happened on the campus yesterday.

Bhuiyan, also secretary general of ruling BNP, however said if it was a case of police excesses, actions would be taken. But Bhuiyan quickly added police had the right to take counter-measure if they came under attack.

Unlike on other recent occasions, Home Minister Altaf Hossain Chowdhury yesterday refrained from issuing any statement on the day's incident in the House.

Earlier in his statement, Kader Siddiqui warned the government against beating females and also spoke about the rumour of death of writer Humayun Azad, now being treated at the Combined Military Hospital in Dhaka for life-threatening wounds.

Bhuiyan told the House in response that whoever had made the attack on Azad would be haunted down and handed down punishment. He alleged 'an identified clique' was spreading the death rumour to create public anger.