In Rajshahi, a leader of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement threatened to lock journalists inside a venue if they did not stop broadcasting and leave immediately. Facing strong objections from the journalists, he later apologised. The incident took place on Monday (1 December) afternoon at the Tourism Motel in Rajshahi city.
The student leader has been identified as Shoaeb Ahmed.
Following the public uprising, several allegations were raised against him. Among these is the accusation that he tied two women to an electricity pole and tortured them in the city’s Asam Colony area. He was also seen throwing stones at a train while standing in a queue. Shoaeb Ahmed is known to accompany several leaders of the National Citizens’ Party (NCP) in the metropolitan area.
According to journalists, the NCP’s Rajshahi district convening committee was announced last Saturday. The following day, Sunday, one member resigned from the newly formed committee. Later that night, several July Fighters held a press conference, labelling the new convenor Saiful Islam as an associate of the Awami League and demanding his resignation. Amid such tensions, the introduction meeting of the district’s new committee was organised on Monday.
Journalists rushed to the Tourism Motel upon hearing the news. In their presence, five more committee members announced their resignation and reiterated the demand that Saiful Islam step down. Journalists later attended the NCP district committee’s introduction meeting and discussed the allegations with Saiful Islam.
Some journalists were broadcasting live when Shoaeb Ahmed entered the room with another individual. He said, “Journalists must leave immediately; otherwise, everyone including the journalists will be locked in.” He also made several inappropriate remarks, angering the journalists.
When the journalists protested, Shoaeb quickly left the conference room. The journalists followed him outside, surrounding him and expressing their objections. The situation became heated until police intervened and restored calm. Shoaeb eventually apologised for his remarks.
Earlier, during the introduction meeting, Shoaeb and several young men entered the motel chanting “Action, action, direct action.” Motel officials informed them that 53 guests were staying inside and such slogans could cause panic. The group then moved outside but continued chanting slogans.
Responding to allegations of Awami League affiliation, NCP district convenor Saiful Islam said, “I have no association with the Awami League. I was previously involved with the Zia Parishad and later with the State Reform Movement.”
Regarding the threat to lock in journalists, NCP metropolitan convenor Mobashwer Ali said, “The boy stays with us, but he holds no position in the NCP. He is a leader of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement. He is young and spoke out of immaturity.”
SS