Students beaten up for protest

At least 40 school kids were injured at Kachua in Chandpur yesterday in an attack by alleged activists of Jubo League, the youth wing of ruling Awami League.

Twenty-two of the injured -- 14 girls and 8 boys -- were admitted to Kachua Upazila Health Complex.

Later, two were moved to Comilla Medical College Hospital as their condition deteriorated, said Bijay Dutta, a doctor at the Kachua hospital.

He said many of the students were admitted to the health complex with fractured and broken limbs. Some were beaten mercilessly with sticks.

Dulal Chandra Sarker, headmaster of Bhuiyara High School, said the attack was carried out after the school authorities on Friday night refused to pay some local “Jubo League” men Tk 15, 000 in “toll” for arranging National Mourning Day programmes in the area.

He alleged the men, including Faruque, Monir and Liton, had also beaten Fazlur Rahman, an assistant teacher, inside the school that night.

Protesting the incident, the students had gathered on the school playground yesterday morning and tried to bring out a procession.

But suddenly, some “Jubo League” men swooped on the children with sharp weapons and sticks, said the headmaster.

The organisation, however, denied its involvement in the incidents.

Nazmul Alam Swapan, president of Kachua Jubo League, said those who were behind such incidents were “criminals, not part of Jubo League”.

”We have requested police to take legal steps against the culprits,” he claimed.

Helal Uddin, former convener of the unit, claimed Faruque and Monir were actually activists of Awami League but AL denied it.

According to Helal, yesterday's attack was carried out after some students on Saturday allegedly vandalised the houses of Faruque and Monir in the area for assaulting the teacher.

Visiting the school, Ibrahim Khalil, officer-in-charge of Kachua Police Station, said action would be taken after investigation.

Talking about the two students who were referred to the Comilla hospital, Bijay Dutta of Kachua Upazila Health Complex said, Sujon, a class-10 student, was stabbed in the leg and had 26 stitches. Sonia Aktar, of the same class, had a severe head injury.

The other admitted to the Kachua hospital include class-10 students Munni Aktar, Beauty Aktar, Shabnur, Arif Hossain, Pakhi Aktar; class-IX student Riyad Hossain, class-VIII students Popy Aktar, Ripa Aktar, Kadija Aktar Bristy, class-VII students Shakila Aktar, Sayma Aktar and class-VI students Tanjila Aktar and Meem.    

Abdul Hanif, assistant superintendent of police (Hajiganj circle), said a case was filed against 28, including Faruque, Monir and Liton, in connection with the attack.

Later, police detained Mozzamel Haque, brother of Lition, for his alleged involvement in the incident, he added.

The other accused went into hiding.