BCL men attack quota protesters again at CU and Sholoshahar in Chattogram

Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) activists attacked students protesting against the push to restore the quota system at Chittagong University for the second consecutive day, and Sholoshahar Railway Station in Chattogram. Resultant clashes, which began at 4pm on Monday, left at least 10 people, including police, being injured due to stone-throwing and scuffles.

Prior to the clash, thousands of students had gathered at Sholoshahar Railway Station. The violence disrupted vehicular movement, which remained halted from 4pm to 6pm while this report was being filed.

According to the quota reform activists, students were preparing to move to Sholoshahar Station on a shuttle train at 2.30 pm. At that time, a group of BCL activists, led by former Chittagong University (CU) BCL Joint Secretary Md. Elias attacked them with sticks and bamboos. Many students were reportedly beaten up by BCL members, leaving several seriously injured.

At one point, BCL leaders captured Khan Talat Mahmud Rafi, co-coordinator of the anti-discrimination student movement, and demanded his expulsion from the university when they handed him over to the proctor. BCL leaders also held the shuttle train driver hostage and seized the keys.

Zoynal Abedin, Sholoshahar Station Master, confirmed the incident and said, "The boys from the political party forcibly took the keys from the shuttle train driver waiting at the university. As a result, train services have been suspended."

The quota reform activists had previously announced their plan to move to Sholoshahar Railway Station by shuttle train to declare their next protest program.

Several eyewitness students reported that BCL activists stationed themselves in front of each compartment of the train to prevent the quota reform activists from boarding. When students attempted to board the train, they were blocked.

Md. Elias, former CU BCL Joint Secretary, said regarding the incident, "We approached those protesting for quota reform to talk to them. We support their right to protest, but we will not tolerate any derogatory remarks about the Liberation War and the freedom fighters."

"We did not stop the train, nor did we attack anyone," he added.