Bangladesh banned on Wednesday the student wing of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s party, citing its role in violent attacks during student protests that led to the ouster of the autocratic leader in August, Asian media reported.
An official statement issued on Wednesday said:
“The Bangladesh government has banned the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) — the student wing of the Bangladesh Awami League — under the Anti-Terrorism Act.”
According to the notice, Chhatra League has been involved in activities violating public security for the last 15 years, during the rule of Awami League.
Numerous allegations have been levelled against BCL leaders and activists, including allegations of murder, rape, assault and extortion during the last three terms of Awami League rule. The organisation was also accused of setting up “torture rooms” in various halls of public universities across the country to attack students.
Allegations of extortion by the Chhatra League have been made for a long time, with the latest allegations surfacing during the July uprising.
The notification also said there was sufficient evidence that the BCL continued to engage in conspiracies, destructive activities and terrorist attacks even after the Awami League fell from power on August 5. As a result, the interim government imposed a ban on Bangladesh Chhatra League under Section 18(1) of the Anti-Terrorism Act 2009.
Protests continue in Bangladesh
On Tuesday, fresh mass protests took place in the Bangladeshi capital amid demands for the resignation of President Mohammed Shahabuddin, natively known as Chuppu.
A group of protesters tried to break through fences outside the Bangabhaban presidential palace in Dhaka. The army and police intervened to stop them, using batons and tear gas. Eyewitnesses reported at least one protester injured.
The demonstration came after the president’s comments on the resignation of the country’s former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The politician said he never received an official statement about her resignation and that there was no documentary confirmation from the administration. In a subsequent statement, Chuppu agreed that her resignation was a fait accompli.
Bangladesh’s caretaker government called Chuppu’s statements false and improper. The press office of the head of the caretaker cabinet said there is no question of removing the president from office for now. However, the law minister said that if the politician sticks to his opinion, the government should reconsider its stance.
