The New Nation - Internet Edition

DU Correspondent

The activists of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), student wing of BNP went on the rampage in the city on the basis of news that BNP senior joint secretary general Tarique Raman, now under custody, sustained injury yesterday.

JCD activists ran riot on the Dhaka University campus, Dhaka College and Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET).

A businessman, Jahangir Alam died when the cylinder of a CNG exploded near the Dhaka College after it was set on fire by some agitated students. Jahangir was present by the road at that time.

Furious JCD activists also damaged and burned a number of vehicles in and around the campus.

Several platoons of police were deployed around the entrance of the campus to bring the situation under control.

Meanwhile, the police stopped the movement of vehicles inside the campus and for the Nilkhet to Science Lab circle, which created long jam across the city.

The markets situated both sides of the New Market, Azimpur and Mitford areas were closed down due to this incidents.

Panic spread among the students of the university and a rumour was afloat that the university would be closed sine die following the incident.

Witness said JCD held a demonstration on the campus as per its pre scheduled programme to press home demand for the release of Begum Khaleda Zia and her son Tarique Rahman. After getting the news of Tarique`s injury, the JCD activists moved towards Shahbag circle but police intercepted them in front of Fine Arts Faculty of the University.

Having halted by police, JCD activists became berserk and clashed with them. Later police charged baton and JCD workers threw brickbats during chase and counter chase.

JCD followers damaged five vehicles and set fire a taxicab in front of Rokeya Hall when they were coming back to the campus after being dispersed by the police.

BCL general secretary Sazzad Sakib Badsha said, in a reaction, that they would not tolerate any undesirable situation, created by anybody, on the campus.

After hearing the news Tarique Rahman`s head injury, and JCD activists and police clash on the DU campus, the students of Dhaka College and BUET staged protest rallies at their respective campus.

The students of Dhaka College came to the street led by Maniruzzaman Manik and ransacked two vehicles and set fire to one.

Demanding the punishment of those who were responsible of the death of the businessman, the traders blocked the street for three hours.

UNB adds from Bogra : A group of unruly BNP activists set fire on the engine of a passenger train at Gabtali station, 15km east of Bogra town, at 8pm yesterday, as a backlash of disturbance on Dhaka university campus.

Bogra stationmaster Benjirul Islam said the fire was extinguished.

But major damage has caused to the engine.

Panic-stricken passengers quickly disembarked from the train. None was hurt, initial report said.

Islam said the train, Padrag service, leaving from Lalmonirhat reached Gabtali station at 8pm. With damaged engine the train was standing at the station yard. The stationmaster has called for salvage train to clear the line.

Police rushed to the spot when the activists left the station. The activists snapped telecommunication of Gabtali and beat the stationmaster leaving him wounded. He was admitted to Gabtali Health Complex, witnesses said.

Earlier, JCD activists of Bogra Azizul Haq College demonstrated on the campus at 3pm as information spread about detained BNP leader Tarique Rahman sustained injury as he slipped down in the hospital.

The unruly activists brought out noisy procession, burnt tyres and blocked the railway in front of the college till 6pm. Lalmonirhat bound Karotoa Express train from Santahar remained stranded at old Bogra railway gate until the blockade was withdrawn at 6pm.