Leaders and activists of Chhatra League yesterday assaulted a group of female Chhatra Dal activists on Dhaka University campus for protesting the prime minister's inauguration of Amar Ekushey Boi Mela-2010.

A group of Chhatra League activists, led by Zahurul Haq Hall unit Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) President Reazuddin Chowdhury Suman, attacked the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) activists in presence of police when they were protesting the arrival of the prime minister on campus at the Teacher-Student Centre intersec-

tion. They had a banner with them.

The Chhatra League activists, who thronged the Dhaka University campus to welcome the premier, swooped on the protesters, snatched their banner and slapped them, eyewitnesses said.

Shahbagh police to the surprise of many picked up seven Chhatra Dal activists at the spot and released them later when a number of BNP leaders rushed to the police station.

Shahinur Nargis, a central leader of Chhatra Dal, alleged that Chhatra League's Suman and his followers attacked them in presence of police who played the role of bystanders.

Syed Nurul Islam, additional deputy

commissioner of Ramna, refuted the allegation and said police picked up the Chhatra Dal activists for their own safety.

Opposition Chief Whip Zainul Abdin Farrooque, BNP leader Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annee, opposition lawmakers Syed Asifa Ashrafi Papia, Shammi Akhter and Rasheda Khanam Hira had rushed to the police station to get the Chhatra Dal leaders released.

Farroque blamed police. Talking to reporters, he said police did an undemocratic job by obstructing protesters who have the right to protest.

BNP Secretary General Khandaker Delwar Hossain in a press statement

protested the attack on Chhatra Dal workers and said attack on women activists could never be good for the rule of law and democracy.

Chhatra League leader Suman refuted the allegation of assaulting Chhatra Dal activists and said he had tried to take the banner away upon a directive of his high-ups.

It has become a common incident at Dhaka University that opposition student bodies take to the streets every year when the prime minister comes to the campus to inaugurate the bookfair.

Around 50 Chhatra Dal activists brought out a procession and held a rally at Kataban area protesting Hasina's arrival on campus.