Chatra Dal-Shibir clash at IU, proctor’s car and hall room vandalized

Tension, scuffle and clash have taken place between leaders and activists of Chatra Dal and Shibir at Islamic University (IU) centring on the slapping of a Shibir leader by a Chatra Dal leader. Allegations have been raised against Shibir activists of vandalizing the glass of the window of the hall room where the Chatra Dal leader was staying and the proctor’s car at that time.

The incident took place on Saturday night. Analysis of various video footages shows several people throwing bricks, bottles and shoes targeting the proctor’s car. However, the vandals could not be clearly identified in the video of the vandalism of the room’s window glass.

It has been learnt that after slapping Kazi Juhayer, leader of Zia Hall branch Chatra Shibir, Ali Noor Rahman, leader of the branch Chatra Dal, went to room No 217 of the hall and took shelter. Later when Shibir leaders and activists gathered in front of that room in search of him, the situation became heated.

In various video footages it is seen that Maruf of the HRM department, Naimur Rahman of the Economics department, Sakib of the Law department, Baqi-Billah of the Arabic department and Shakil of the Al-Hadith department among others were in an excited state in front of the room. Some of them tried to open the door by pushing and kicking it with wood and a table. At that time a video recorded from inside the room shows the scene of the window glass being broken but the face of the vandal is not clear.

Tahsin Jim, a Chatra Dal activist who was in that room, said, “After Ali Noor came to my room, 10 to 15 Shibir activists came towards our room. Fearing a sudden attack we closed the door out of fear. Later they kept kicking the door and at one stage broke the window glass. When a person named Hosne Mobarak threw a brick from the balcony it hit my hand and caused a wound.”

Meanwhile, allegations of vandalism of the proctor’s car arose when members of the proctorial body with police assistance took Ali Noor out of the room and put him in the car.

In a video of the incident it is seen that after the car crossed the hall gate and went some distance, Naim Islam threw a brick targeting the car from the right side. At the same time Shakil Ahmed is seen throwing a bottle. Later another person wearing a blue T-shirt threw a brick from the back of the car but it did not hit the car. His identity could not be ascertained.

Regarding the allegation Naim Islam said, “There was a scramble going on there, many people may have thrown bricks. But I did not break any glass.”

Another accused Shakil Ahmed said, “I am not involved with the breaking of the proctor’s car glass. I was not even around the car.”

Rashedul Islam, secretary of the branch Chatra Shibir, said, “We were trying our best to control the situation taking the member secretary of the branch Chatra Dal with us. At that time I did not think about who vandalized.”

Farid Uddin, an official of the proctor office, said, “A large brick hit the car and the glass broke. People inside could have been injured, but the brick did not hit anyone’s body.”

Proctor Professor Dr Shahinuzzaman said, “As soon as we reached a little in front of the gate the boys rushed towards Ali Noor. We quickly put him in the car. Later a few brickbats hit the car and the glass broke. Who were involved in this incident will be examined by the investigation committee.”

Professor Dr Mohammad Selim, convener of the investigation committee formed by the university administration over the clash and vandalism, said, “The investigation is ongoing. We are documenting everything that has happened.”