BANGLADESH

Communications minister Obaidul Quader said on Sunday people are scared to see those involved in student politics.

"During our times, girls rushed to see us whenever we passed in front of the common room. And now, they run off in fear," the former Bangladesh Chhatra League president during in 1978-81 said at a workshop.

The workshop was organised on the occasion of the ruling Awami League's student wing's 64th anniversary and reunion where Quader was speaking.

He said now some so-called Chhatra League activists are spoiling the organisation's image.

"The images of Chhatra League and Awami League will shine if these [so called Chhatra League activists] are marked out and thrown out of the organisation."

"Wherever [Chhatra League supporters] commit misdeeds, committees there are being dismissed," Quader remarked.

But, he said, "This is not the solution. Disciplinary measures should be taken following investigation against those committing the misdeeds."

Replying to one of Quader's question, Chhatra League president H M Badiuzzaman Shohagh said there are 84 Chhatra League committees in 87 units in the districts and educational institutions.

Three committees have been dissolved.

Quader called for change in strategy and asked them to form a new committee before dissolving the old one. "Because, there is no scope to avoid responsibilities for the offence by saying that there is no [Chhatra League] committee here."

The minister said now-a-days, wherever he goes, he comes across a large number of Chhatra League supporters. "Where did so many Chhatra League [supporters] come from?" he wondered.

Former president of the student wing Enamul Haque Shamim, general secretary of the incumbent committee Siddique Nazmul Alam and leaders and supporters of various levels were present at the workshop.