Worried DU students leaving residential halls after clashes

Worried students are leaving Dhaka University’s residential halls after clashes between the quota reform protesters and the Bangladesh Chhatra League.

According to the students, the leaders and activists of the Chhatra League harassed and beat many students on Monday night for taking part in the movement, triggering panic among the students of the university’s halls of residence.

Many students from nearly all dormitories, including Bijoy Ekattor Hall, Ruqayyah Hall, Kabi Jasimuddin Hall and Surja Sen Hall, have been leaving the campus since early on Tuesday. Most of those leaving were students in their first and second years.

A student from the Bijoy Ekattor Hall told bdnews24.com, as many as 250 students live in the dormitory’s common room but he only saw about 10-12 of them when he woke in the morning. The rest of the students have left the hall.

“My parents called and asked me to go home. They are worried about us. We are not safe on our own campus.”

Another pupil, who left the Ruqayyah Hall, told bdnews24.com that her family is also anxious over the attack on female students by the Chhatra League. She said they were not safe on the campus as they were attacked by street children spurred on by ‘miscreants’.

“Parents are repeatedly calling us on the phone. They are worried about our safety. That’s why I am leaving. I will return once the situation of the campus returns to normal.”

Meanwhile, the Chhatra League leaders and activists have allegedly snatched mobile phones from students and harassed and beat them at the university’s AF Rahman Hall, Bijoy Ekattor Hall, Shahid Sergeant Zahurul Huq Hall and Surja Sen Hall after 10pm on Monday.

A student from the AF Rahman Hall said that several people aspiring to positions in the Chhatra League severely beat six students of the dormitory. Three students were forced to leave the hall. They are Shakhawat Hossain Saku, Limon Khan Rana and Morshed Islam from the university’s 2020-21 academic year.

In addition, the victims from several halls said the Chhatra League loyalists took up positions at the entrances of the halls at night and inspected students as they entered their residences. They questioned them about their involvement in the quota movement and checked their Facebook accounts. Announcements were made by loudspeakers at several halls instructing the students not to participate in the quota movement.

The Chhatra League leaders and activists went to the grounds of each hall carrying megaphones and urged students not to be 'victims of someone's political tricks'. They were heard saying: “The talented students of Dhaka University, you are the future of the country and the nation. Your beautiful future is in your hands. Please decide about your participation in the movement carefully.”