The Chittagong University Central Students’ Union (CUCSU) has accused university unit Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal General Secretary Abdullah Al Noman of tender manipulation, threatening a hall provost and making false allegations against the student union’s vice-president (VP).
CUCSU VP Ibrahim Hossain Rony gave Noman three days to substantiate his allegations against him, demanding a public apology if he failed to provide evidence.
The allegations were raised at a press conference on the overall campus situation, held in front of the CUCSU building at 4pm on Thursday. Rony read out a written statement at the event.
Citing an audio clip, Rony alleged that Noman’s interference in the tender process had stalled renovation work at the Shah Amanat Hall mosque for three months.
He said students had been forced to offer prayers in unhygienic conditions because the renovation remained suspended despite the completion of the tender process.
Referring to another audio clip dated 31 August, Rony alleged that Noman had behaved abusively towards and threatened Abdul Mannan, then provost of Suhrawardy Hall, in an attempt to secure an unauthorised residential seat for one of his activists.
The provost subsequently resigned following the incident, Rony claimed.
He expressed frustration over the university administration’s failure to take any visible action despite students’ anger over both incidents.
Rony also strongly condemned Noman’s recent claim at a Chhatra Dal procession that he had given 10 bhori of gold for Rony’s wedding, describing the allegation as completely baseless and defamatory.
Giving Noman three days to substantiate the claim, Rony said, “If he can provide appropriate evidence within this period, I will voluntarily resign as CUCSU VP. Otherwise, Noman must apologise publicly. If he fails to provide evidence, the administration must take action under existing laws.”
The student union also raised a series of allegations against Chhatra Dal leaders and activists at Chittagong University, including extortion, tender manipulation, harassment of teachers, defamation of elected student representatives and consuming food at campus canteens without paying.
Other allegations included stealing and selling books from residential halls, harassment of women, ragging, threatening journalists, drug use inside halls and assaulting shopkeepers.
CUCSU urged the university administration to thoroughly investigate each allegation and ensure justice.
It also warned that Chhatra Dal and the university administration would be held responsible if any activities or conspiracies by the student organisation disrupted the campus environment.
Among those attending the press conference were CUCSU General Secretary Sayeed Bin Habib, Literature, Culture and Publication Secretary Harezul Islam (Hares Matabbar), Health Affairs Secretary Afnan Hasan Imran and Library and Cafeteria Affairs Secretary Masum Billah.
Career Development Secretary Mehedi Hasan Sohan, Communication and Accommodation Secretary Obaidul Salman and Assistant Literature, Culture and Publication Secretary Jihad Hossain (Jihad Ahnaf) were also present.
