Chhatra Dal alleges Shibir involvement in DU hall torture under Chhatra League cover

Members of Islami Chhatra Shibir were involved in the torture of students in "guest rooms" and "gono rooms" while operating from within the banned Chhatra League, alleged Dhaka University Chhatra Dal General Secretary Nahiduzzaman Shipon.

"We have already obtained several pieces of evidence that clearly indicate their [Shibir] direct involvement in torturing students through guest rooms and gono rooms while operating from within Chhatra League," he said yesterday (5 May) after submitting a memorandum to DU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr ABM Obaidul Islam.

The memorandum, submitted by the DU unit of Jatioatabadi Chhatra Dal, includes demands for action against those involved in alleged past torture in guest rooms and gono rooms, as well as measures to ensure accommodation for first-year students.

Speaking to journalists, Shipon said a student organisation had previously carried out "covert politics" within Chhatra League.

He added that in recent times, records of such activities had surfaced in several halls.

"Through WhatsApp and Messenger groups, they directly threatened students, and these issues have now come to light among general students," he said.

"We have urged the vice-chancellor to form an independent investigation commission immediately and take punitive action against those responsible," he added.

DU Chhatra Dal President Ganesh Chandra Roy Sahos said around 80% of DU students come from rural areas, and improved residential facilities would help ensure a smoother academic life.

He noted that DU is not a fully residential institution and continues to face an accommodation crisis.

"We have submitted the memorandum seeking resolution of seat shortages for first-year students based on merit, and accommodation stipends for those who cannot be allocated seats in the first or second phases," he said.

The memorandum also alleged that during the previous regime, Chhatra League carried out systematic torture on students in university halls through guest rooms and gono rooms.

It further stated that many students have recently raised serious allegations linking leaders and activists of Shibir to such incidents, claiming that several of the accused were formerly associated with Chhatra League before later joining Shibir after the 2024 July Uprising.

The memorandum warned that failure to take exemplary administrative action against those involved in such incidents could further damage the campus political environment and potentially lead to renewed unrest at DU.