National Citizen Party-NCP convener and opposition chief whip Md Nahid Islam alleged that educational institutions are again being turned into havens for violence, with attempts underway to seize halls, control campuses and establish dominance. He made the remarks on Tuesday at a discussion in Siraj Convention Center, Aftabnagar, marking the second anniversary of the July Revolution, organized by Jatiya Chhatra Shakti’s combined private university branch.

Islam said representatives of Jagannath University’s student union and Chhatra Shakti leaders had been attacked. He alleged that Chhatra Dal and what he called its violent groups were trying to take control of Dhaka College, Dhaka Alia Madrasa and other institutions. He also said that Alif, described as their brother, had his eye gouged out in Habiganj.

He urged the government to learn from the past, avoid conflict with students, allow them to study without disruption, preserve democratic practices in institutions and create employment. Islam praised private university students’ role in the July Revolution, calling for recognition and documentation of their sacrifices. He said the government had taken no initiative regarding private universities.