Three Dhaka College Chhatra Dal Leaders Suspended Over Alleged Attack on New Market Shop
The organisational posts of three leaders of the Dhaka College unit of Chhatra Dal have been suspended over allegations of an attack, vandalism, looting and an attempted occupation at a shop in Globe Shopping Centre in the capital's New Market area.
The suspension was announced on Friday morning (23 October) in a press release sent by Chhatra Dal's central office secretary Md Jahangir Alam, who holds the rank of vice-president.
The release said that, by decision of the central parliament of the Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, the posts of the three leaders were suspended on the basis of specific allegations of breaching organisational discipline.
Those suspended are Dhaka College unit joint convener Majedul Islam, and members Sheikh Parvez Mosharraf and Sagar Khan. All three held responsible positions in the college unit.
The release also said Chhatra Dal president Rakibul Islam Rakib and general secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir approved the suspension decision — meaning the action was taken with the approval of the central leadership.
The allegations stem from yesterday afternoon, when several leaders and activists of Dhaka College Chhatra Dal were accused of attacking, vandalising and trying to occupy a shop at Globe Shopping Centre in New Market.
In the incident, the shop's tenant trader Aminul Islam, his son, and the market's manager Jewel Rana were allegedly beaten and harassed.
After the incident, the shop owners' authorities expressed concern over the safety of traders in the market. Such an open incident in a busy commercial area created panic among traders.
Allegations of attacks on traders by student organisation leaders and activists are not new, but this time the central Chhatra Dal has taken swift organisational action. The suspension decision is seen as a message about maintaining discipline.
Dhaka College is one of the capital's most historic educational institutions, and the New Market area lies very close to it. As a result, any tension in college-centred student politics quickly spreads into the surrounding commercial area.
Suspension means the leaders concerned cannot perform organisational duties for now. No information has yet been given about any further investigation or final decision in the matter.
Attention will now be on the legal side of the attack allegation, and on whether the affected trader files a case or a formal complaint. The outcome of Chhatra Dal's internal inquiry is also awaited.
