Leaders and members of Chittagong University Journalist Association (CUJA) yesterday formed a human chain and brought out a silent procession on the campus premises protesting the padlocking of CUJA’s office at the university by Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) activists.
Four members of BCL were expelled in connection with the incident through the decision of central BCL leaders.
The silent procession of CUJA started from the CU Central Students’ Union premise and ended at the CU administrative building where the association’s members later formed a human chain. While addressing the rally, the leaders gave a 48-hour ultimatum to CU authorities to take exemplary punishment against the responsible individuals in the incident.
The university’s journalist association also thanked the BCL central leaders as they took immediate steps following the incident.
The decision of expulsion was executed through a letter signed by BCL Central President Badiuzzaman Sohag and Secretary Siddique Nazmul Alam. The expellees were Organising Secretary Pijush Kanti Barman, members SM Meraj, Safayat and Sowman Dash Juwel. The expelled activists belonged to the university’s BCL unit President Mamun’s group and they were also members of “varsity express”, a faction of the student front at CU.
The four members were expelled from the organisation on charges of locking the CUJA office on Saturday, BCL Official Secretary Shiekh Rasel told reporters confirming the incident.
The CUJA office was locked after a report was published to the national dailies of BCL activists attacking a CNG driver in the university area. A few hours later, the university proctor unlocked the office.
The rally was presided over by CUJA Secretary Asraf Reza and the association’s Vice-President Sarifuzzaman, Joint Secretary Shahidul Islam and Forhan Ovi addressed the rally among others.
