Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) men allegedly shot an Islami Chhatra Shibir leader of Rajshahi University (RU) unit after chopping off one of his legs on the campus on Monday. The victim was identified as Russell Mahmud, secretary of RU Nawab Abdul Latif Hall unit of Shibir and a 4th year student of Finance and Banking Department of the university. Witnesses said a team of police from Matihar Police Station and BCL men took position in front of Shahidullah Arts Bhaban around 1pm on information that Shibir leader Ziauddin Bablu alias Hasib was taking part in the fourth year examination under the Arabic Language Department. Some BCL leaders, including its RU unit vice-president Tanmoyananda Ovi, organising secretary Foysal Ahmed Runu, expelled organising secretary Kawsar Ahmed Koushik, Golam Kibria, Rinet, Sushmoy, Mizan and Don, caught Russell while he was passing through the area around 2pm. Later, the BCL men took Russell to the ground floor of the building around 4:15pm where they chopped off his right leg with machetes. They also hacked the Shibir leader in the right hand and shot in the chest before escaping leaving him in a pool of blood. After the BCL men left the place, police arrested Russell and took him to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital. They also arrested Hasib after he came out of the examination hall. Although the incident happened in front of police, they played the role of mere spectators, witnesses alleged. Meanwhile, RU unit BCL general secretary Touhid Al Hossain denied the allegation of BCL’s involvement in the incident, saying they did not beat anyone. Contacted, deputy commissioner of Rajshahi Metropolitan Police Tanvir Haider Chwodhury said they arrested a bullet-hit Shibir leader with his leg severing from the RU campus and took him to the RMCH. “Prima facie, it seemed that miscreants perpetrated the incident.” Besides, Shibir on Monday called a half-day hartal in Rajshahi, Natore and Chapainawabganj districts for Tuesday protesting the incident. RU unit Shibir president Ashraful Alam Emon announced the shutdown from a demonstration in the city in the evening. —UNB, Rajshahi.
