As Chhatra League leaders entered Dhaka University’s Ruqayyah Hall on Tuesday night – after a day that saw six people killed during quota reform protests across Bangladesh – they were met with resistance from general students of the dorm and were ultimately forced to leave the place.
Angered, the students exited their rooms and came down, chanting anti-Chhatra League slogans upon seeing them.
They later attacked some leaders, including Atika Binte Hossain, organizing secretary of the Chhatra League’s central committee, prompting a proctorial team led by DU Proctor Maksudur Rahman to rush to the spot.
The proctor told Dhaka Tribune that general students had launched an attack on 11 Chhatra League leaders.
“Of them, 10 have been rescued and are now safe. Attempts are being made to rescue another girl who is still inside," he said at the time.
Quota reform: RU Chhatra League leaders room vandalized, 20 motorcycles torchedBornali Ghosh Borno, Samiha Mahbub, Sajia Rahman Silvi, Biporna Roy and Saifunnesa Ilmi were among those attacked in the dorm, according to a source.
When Chhatra League leader Bornali initially returned to her room, general students entered and vandalized it, reportedly assaulting her and forcing her out.
Upon hearing the news, several Chhatra League members, led by Ruqayyah Hall Chhatra League President Atika, came forward. They rescued Bornali and tried to bring the situation under control. They were accompanied by the hall's house tutor.
Seeing them, the general students started chanting "murderer, murderer" at them.
Soon after, they had to leave the dorm premises.
Meanwhile, the students of Ruqayyah Hall secured an undertaking signed by Provost Dr Nelofar Parvin that said student politics was banned in the dorm from now on.
"We, the girls of Ruqayyah Hall, are documenting today that from 17.07.2024, all types of student politics (Chhatra League, Chhatra Dal, Jubo Dal, Jamaat, Shibir, etc) inside Ruqayyah Hall have been banned. There will be no political programs, and the dorm will have no political involvement. If we, the girls of the hall, are harmed in any way by these political organizations, the administration and the hall provost will have to take responsibility.”
At least six people were killed in Dhaka, Chittagong and Rangpur, while several hundred sustained injuries on Tuesday as police and Chhatra League confronted quota reform protesters across Bangladesh for a second day.
