Rajshahi IHT closed after BCL attack on female students

RAJSHAHI, Dec 06: Institute of Health Technology (IHT), Rajshahi has been declared closed for an indefinite period after a number of female students were injured in an attack at a sit-in programme allegedly by members of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) on Wednesday. The IHT authorities have asked the male students to vacate the dormitories by 1:00pm while the female students by 3:00pm.
Rajshahi IHT Principal Sirajul Islam gave the announcement on Wednesday morning after the attack incident. To avoid any unwanted incidents the authorities took the decision and closed the dormitories for indefinite period.
Soon after the declaration, additional police men were deployed on the college campus.
The students organised the sit-in programme protesting locking up of some of the female students by male BCL members in their residential hall on December 3.
The BCL men allegedly did it to bar them from participating in a countrywide protest programme of medical technologists.
A group of female student protesters also submitted a formal letter to the principal of the institute complaining about the incident of December 3 following which the attack took place.
At least 10 female students were injured when the Chhatra League activists attack on students around 1 lam.
The injured were identified as Rupa, 19, daughter of Atia Rahman of Bagha upazila and a second year student of Pharmacy Department of the college, Naznin Akterm 18, daughter of Amzad of Badolgachi under Naogaon district and a second year student of Pharmacy Department, Nishat,
18, Mohona, 18, both were the first year student of Lab Department, Arefin Sharmin, 18, Bristy, 19 and others would not be identified immediately. All of them were undergoing treatment at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH).
Talking to The Daily Observer, Sharmin and some others female students said that they went to submit a memorandum to the college principal to ensure their security and against the extortion and indecent behavior of Chhatra League leaders and activists.
Then they demonstrate in front of the principal office while the BCL leaders and activists attack on them, leaving at least 10 female students injured. The BCL leaders and activists pushed them and some caught their hair and beaten up. Sharmin cried and described the inhuman attack on the female students.
A number of female students alleged that the BCL leaders and activists used bad words aiming at them. In this regard, Rajshahi IHT Principal Sirajul Islam said he has received such allegation for the first time now. Necessary legal steps would be taken after investigation.