Gonoshasthaya students seek justice

Students of Gonoshasthaya Kendra in Savar which was attacked by vandals on Friday formed a human chain yesterday demanding punishment for the attackers.

Around 1,000 students took part in the protest on Gono University campus. They shouted slogans demanding the highest punishment for the attackers who also harassed female students while running a rampage on a building of Gonoshasthaya Kendra.

Khadiza Akther Shetu, treasurer of Gono University's student parliament, said, “We demanded the highest punishment for the attackers who beat up Limon Hossain (a victim of Rab shooting), abused female students, and vandalised our PHA Bhaban.”

“If police don't take action against the attackers, we will go for tough protest,” she said.

Delowar Hossain, registrar of Gono University, said, “The court will deal with the land-related case (filed against Gonoshasthaya Kendra founder Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury). What is the role of students here? Why did they attack our students?”

Meanwhile, Krishak Sramik Janata League President Abdul Kader Siddique and his party members visited Gonoshasthaya Kendra yesterday and talked to the victims.

He strongly condemned the attack and assured them of taking the matter to “higher authorities”. Kader also visited Limon, whose right hand was fractured in the attack, at the surgery ward of Gonoshasthaya Hospital. Talking to journalists, Kader said the criminals must get the highest punishment for this heinous act.   

On Friday morning, around 100 attackers, led by those who recently filed cases against Dr Zafrullah, entered PHA Bhaban and started breaking the windows, taking away computers, TVs, and CCTV cameras. They hurled abuse at female staff and tried to break into a dormitory of female students. The attackers also hung a banner reading, “Cotton Textile Crafts Ltd” in front of PHA Bhaban.

Since October 15, five cases have been lodged against Zafrullah, accusing him of land grabbing, extortion and stealing fish and fruits from locals. Sheikh Alamgir, administration officer of Gonoshasthaya Kendra, said they filed a written complaint but police were yet to record it. “If police don't take our complaint, we will go to court for justice.”

Javed Masud, officer-in-charge (investigation) of Ashulia Police Station, said they are investigating the incident. But he denied receiving any written complaint from the Gonoshasthaya officials.

Meanwhile, Limon filed a written complaint with the police station yesterday, accusing two men and 12-13 unidentified persons of attacking him. Limon said police assured him of looking into the matter but they did not give him any document that they have received his complaint.