Student group accuses rivals of orchestrating attacks to distract from public hardship

Nurul Islam Saddam, the president of Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir, alleged that the ruling party's student wings, Chhatra Dal and Juba Dal, are being used to instigate attacks across the country. He claims these actions are designed to divert public attention from the severe economic hardships faced by citizens, including shortages of oil, gas, and electricity, and general economic instability during the current government's first five months. Saddam stated that these alleged "terrorist activities" by Chhatra Dal and Juba Dal are a deliberate attempt to shift focus away from these pressing issues. He further warned that attempting to gauge Chhatra Dal's "terrorist capabilities" by attacking students would backfire on them. These remarks were made during a press conference held on Tuesday night at Chhatra Shibir's central office in Purana Paltan, Dhaka, following clashes between Chhatra Dal and Chhatra Shibir members at Jagannath University, Dhaka College, and Dhaka Alia Madrasah. Saddam accused Chhatra Dal and Juba Dal cadres of carrying out "well-planned attacks" on major educational institutions. He specifically cited the Jagannath University second campus construction project, suggesting Chhatra Dal opposed the involvement of the army due to potential loss of opportunities for extortion and commission sharing, leading to attacks on students. He reported that at least 20 individuals, including JNUSU leaders, students, journalists, and Chhatra Shibir and Chhatra Shakti leaders, were injured in these attacks. Similar attacks were allegedly carried out by Chhatra Dal leaders at Kabi Nazrul College, Suhrawardy College, and Dhaka National Medical Institute Hospital, where even ordinary patients were reportedly harmed. At Dhaka College, Chhatra Dal allegedly attacked during preparations for a memorial event, and at Dhaka Alia Madrasah, external Chhatra Dal members are accused of assaulting students in their dormitories. Saddam claimed these attacks on student representatives are unprovoked and initiated with fabricated rumors, citing an earlier incident at Shahbagh police station. He asserted that high-level government officials are instigating these attacks, with the administration's "mysterious silence" emboldening perpetrators. He cautioned that destabilizing campuses could jeopardize the government's hold on power, suggesting that Juba Dal and Chhatra Dal alone could be sufficient to cause the Prime Minister's downfall. In response, Islami Chhatra Shibir announced a student-led rally from the Central Shaheed Minar to Raju Sculpture at Dhaka University on Wednesday morning to demand justice for the attacks. When asked about filing cases, Saddam stated that previous legal actions yielded no results, hence they have not filed any new cases but urged the administration to investigate.