Leaders of some twelve student organisations of Dhaka University (DU) on Friday declared that they have formed an ‘Anti-Terrorism Student Unity’ to fight terrorism, communalism and autocratic force on the campus.

“The platform — Anti-Terrorism Student Unity — will wage a movement against terrorism, communalism and autocratic force on the Dhaka University Campus,” they said.

Leaders of the student bodies made the announcement at a press briefing at Madhur canteen of the university on Friday afternoon.

Twelve student organisations: Bangladesh Sadharan Chhatra Odhikar Sangrakkhan Parishad, Bangladesh Chhatra Federation, Samajtantrik Chhatra Front, Bangladesh Chhatra Union, Biplobi Chhatra Moitri, Chhatra Federation, Biplobi Chhatra-Jubo Andolan, Pahari Chhatra Parishad, Samajtantrik Chhatra Front (Marxist), Nagorik Chhatra Oikya, Swatantra Joot and Chhatra Mancha.

However, Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), student wing of BNP, was not included in the platform.

During the press briefing at Madhur canteen, the Al Kaderi, president of Samajtantrik Chhatra Front, told reporters that, “The past record of Chhatra Dal is not good. They were involved in terrorism, while BNP was in power. Therefore, we have excluded the student organisation from our alliance.”

He also said, “Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) and its wing Muktijuddha Mancha orchestrated an offensive attack on vice president of DUCSU Nurul Haque Nur and his supporters on December 22. The attack was not possible without the support from the university administration. Not it is time for unity. We have to eliminate establishment on the campus.”

Newly-formed Anti-Terrorism Students Unity demanded resignation of the Dhaka University (DU) proctor and removal of the vice-chancellor following the attack on VP Nur.

They demanded immediate trial and expulsion of those involved in attack on Nur and his associates, resignation of proctor, withdrawal of false case against Nur and others, ensuring congenial academic and democratic atmosphere on the campus and security of students.