Thirteen leaders of the newly formed committee of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) Chittagong city unit yesterday resigned in protest at inclusion of 'listed criminals, non-students and married persons in the committee'.

Vice-presidents Hasan Murad Biplob and Abdul Alim, Organising Secretary Abul Bashar, Social Welfare Secretary Nur-e-Islam Sohel and nine members at a press conference at the press club in the city announced the decision 48 hours into the formation of the committee on Tuesday. They alleged that proper evaluation of the student and die-hard activists with 'clean' image was not reflected in formation of the 101-member committee.

They conveyed the decision to Awami League President Sheikh Hasina, General Secretary Abdul Jalil and Joint Secretary and Chairman of Okay Commission of BCL Obaidul Quader.

The BCL leaders accused Chittagong city AL President MA Mannan and General Secretary ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury of directing the BCL's central committee to pick up non-students and persons with criminal records.

"General students won't accept this committee. It won't bring any good to the party, rather it will trigger internal feud," they alleged.

They said they made specific allegations against some of the new recruits to the Okay Commission in vain.

Hasan Murad Biplob read out a statement that disclosed names of 24 members including the president and general secretary that have criminal records.