Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) has strongly denied allegations of involvement in an attack on general students at Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET), calling the claims "completely false" and demanding punishment for those responsible.
At a press conference held at Khulna Press Club on Wednesday afternoon, JCD Central Senior Vice-President Abu Afsan Md. Yahya stated that the organization has formed a three-member committee to investigate the incident.
According to Chhatra Dal leaders, the incident began when students interested in joining JCD were attacked while passing through an anti-discrimination student movement procession on Tuesday at KUET. They further alleged that when one of the assaulted students sought refuge in a nearby shop, activists from the anti-discrimination movement attacked the shop owner. In response, local individuals known to the shop owner entered KUET and launched a counterattack.
On Tuesday afternoon, at least 50 students were injured in violent clashes between general students and JCD supporters over the demand to ban student politics on campus. Reports suggest that at one stage, outsiders allegedly linked to BNP joined JCD members in the attack.
In response to the growing tensions, KUET authorities suspended academic activities until February 28. The decision was made during an emergency syndicate meeting, according to university officials.
University authorities also announced that students involved in the attack would be expelled, legal action would be taken against outsiders, medical expenses for the injured would be covered, and security measures would be reinforced to ensure student safety.
