Interim govt bans Chhatra League

Awami League's student organisation Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) has been banned by the interim government.

The Ministry of Home Affairs announced the banning of Chhatra League as a terrorist organisation on Wednesday (October 23).

According to a notification issued by political wing-2 of the ministry, during various periods after the independence of Bangladesh, especially during the last 15 years of dictatorial rule, Bangladesh Awami League affiliated organization Bangladesh Chhatra League committed various types of murder, torture, common room-based oppression, seat trading in dormitories, tender betting, rape and sexual harassment. In some terrorist incidents, the organization's leaders and activists were also proven guilty in court.

During the Anti-discrimination Student Movement since July 15, the leaders and activists of the Chhatra League killed hundreds of innocent students and people and endangered the lives of many more by attacking the protesting students and general public with frenzied and reckless armed attacks. The government has enough evidence that even after the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, the Chhatra League has been involved in conspiratorial, destructive and provocative activities against the state and various terrorist activities, the notification said.

In this situation, the government has banned Bangladesh Chhatra League under the powers given in sub-section (1) of section 18 of the 'Anti-Terrorism Act,

It is also informed that this order will be effective immediately.