Menacing Mockbul

Former Awami League lawmaker Mockbul Hossain yesterday threatened that the heads of demonstrating students and interns of MH Samorita Medical College and Hospital would be blown off.

Mockbul, founding chairman of the college and hospital, intimidated the demonstrators on the street in front of the college protesting fee hike every year, according to witnesses and as seen in video clips.

He was seen pointing fingers at the students and saying, “The government has expressed solidarity with me … they said 'blow off the heads of those who behave badly'. Police are here, they will blow your heads off.”

About 100 interns and students took to the street in front of the college in Tejgaon Industrial area around 9:30am, chanting slogans against the college authorities for not meeting their demands.

Students and interns of MH Samorita Medical College and Hospital sit in protest on the street in front of the college in Tejgaon Industrial area yesterday. The interns demand a raise in their honourium while the students are protesting fee hike every year, among other issues. The photo was taken yesterday. Photo: Anisur Rahman

Mockbul went there several times yesterday but the demonstrators ignored his threats and vowed to continue their protest. He repeatedly misbehaved with them and hurled abuse. He even tore up a leaflet with the demands of the students.

At one stage, he cited the recent closure of Comilla and Pabna medical colleges and used a slang word to say that nothing happened to the principals of the colleges.

“You'll lose an academic year. You'll be expelled,” he said, singling out one of the demonstrators.

His remarks only made the students and interns shout and express their determination to keep going.

Mockbul, also known as Alhaj Mockbul, then called a female student by name and threatened her.

“Will you not go to hostel? You have to stay here?” he was telling the student as seen in the footage.

The students and interns left the place around 1:45pm after the college authorities said their demands would be met.

Their demands include: minimum allowance of Tk 15,000 for MBBS interns and Tk 10,000 for BDS interns, highest Tk 20 fine for being absent for one day, ensuring free treatment of the students, 60 percent discount for their parents, and fixing the 10th of every month as the last date for paying fees, and not taking Tk 78,000 “extra fee” from those who fail their final exams.

The Daily Star called Mockbul several times but none received the calls. There was no response to texts sent to him.