Chhatra Dal locks RUCSU office, students break in

After Chhatra Dal locked the Rajshahi University Central Students' Union (RUCSU) treasurer's office, general students forcibly broke the lock and entered the premises around 1:00pm on Sunday (August 31).

Earlier this morning, RU Chhatra Dal had vandalized the same office and locked the gate, demanding the inclusion of newly admitted students in the voter list, which halted the distribution of RUCSU nomination papers.

According to eyewitnesses, Chhatra Dal members, led by president Sultan Ahmed Rahi, took position from 9.00am and by 10:30am had entered the office, overturned a table, broke a chair, and stopped the election process.

However, Rahi denied vandalism, stating only the table was moved and that their sit-in would continue until demands were met.

In the noon, general students broke the lock and entered, chanting slogans such as "Adu Bhai, Adu Bhai," and "Education and terrorism cannot go together."

Both groups positioned themselves on either side of the gate. At least three students were injured during the ensuing scuffle. There are also allegations of outsiders participating in the Chhatra Dal protests.

RUCSU Chief Election Commissioner Professor F Nazrul Islam stated that first-year students were not admitted when the election schedule was announced, so they are ineligible to vote this time but will be eligible in the next election.