SAVAR: Police early Tuesday raided four dormitories of Jahangirnagar University and arrested 17 students in the late-night swoop conducted following Monday’s violent factional clash between rivals in Bangladesh Chhatra League, the student body associated with the ruling Awami League.

Sirajul Islam, OC of Ashulia Thana, told banglanews24.com.bd that a big contingent of over 300 police personnel conducted the search in Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall, AFM Kamal Uddin Hall, Al-Beruni Hall and Shaheed Salam-Barkat Hall.

They picked up 17 students and recovered a number of iron rods and pipes during the three-hour operation that began at around 00:45am.

The university Proctor and provosts of the halls and other resident teachers were present during the raid.

The arrested students are Shihab, Hassan, Paritosh Chakma, Rahat, Aminul, Shamim, Zunaid Parvez, Zahidur Rahman, Toffazal Hossain Emon, Alamgir, Monjur Ahmmed Rial, Mostafisur Rahman and Masud Rana.

In a further development over the BCL infighting, Malek on behalf of Rashedul Islam Safin group and Atiqur Rahman for Nirjhar Alam Samya group filed two cases with Ashulia police.

Meanwhile, 16 of the arrested students were taken on a two-day police remand and one was freed.  Eight students were shown arrested in each case, striking a sort of parity in dealing with the complaints from the two sides.

Chief Judicial Magistrate Shahriar Arafat granted two-day remand for each of the students as police sought them for seven days to quiz over the troublemaking.

Regarding release of a student, IO of the case SI Aminul Islam said the student was not arrested rather his assistance was taken for detaining others. He wouldn’t disclose the name of the decoy.

At least 50 students and Assistant Proctor ASM Firoz Ul Hasan were injured in a factional clash of Bangladesh Chhatra League at the University Monday for supremacy in a male dormitory.

Following the clash, BCL high-ups suspended the activities of its JU unit and expelled its 13 activists from the organization.

The University authorities also formed a five-member probe body.

Mozzamel Haque, Additional Police Super, told banglanews24.com.bd,  “It’s astonishing that no arms could be seized in the raids. We’ll go on raiding.”

BDST: 1310 Hrs, June 6, 2010