BNP criticises BCL for ‘attack’ on DU students

BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday said Awami League's true colour has got exposed once again with the attack on demonstrating students on Dhaka University campus by Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) activists.

"Awami League's character has got exposed with what happened at Dhaka University. There's nothing new in it for Chhatra League as they frequently beat teachers and students in the past," he said.

Fakhrul came up with the remarks while talking to reporters in front of Banani Graveyard after distributing warm clothes among the destitute, marking the third death anniversary of their party founder Ziaur Rahman's younger son Arafat Rahman Koko.

He alleged that whenever democratic forces had taken stance against the Dhaka University's dictatorial authority, they came under attack by the Chhatra League.

The BNP leader said the ruling party student body has destroyed the academic atmosphere at every educational institution across the country with their destructive activities. "They (BCL men) want to establish their control everywhere in the country and society by force. It can't be accepted. People will surely end it by defeating them."

At least 10 Dhaka University students were hurt in an attack on them allegedly by some leaders and activists of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) on Tuesday on the campus.

BCL men reportedly assaulted the agitating students who besieged the DU Vice Chancellor for four hours at his office to press home their various demands.

Turning to the 11th parliamentary polls issue, Fakhrul said the country's people will not participate in it unless an election-time neutral government is put in place.

He also alleged that the government is making various efforts to foil the next general election in fear of facing a miserable defeat.

The BNP leader said their party wants to join the next polls under a non-party neutral administration, not under the Awami League-led government.

He came down hard on the government for arresting their party chairperson's adviser Taimur Alam Khandaker, saying the main motive behind the arrest is to keep BNP away from the election.

Earlier, Fakhrul along with party leaders and activists went to Koko's grave and offered fateha there.