Bangladeshi students unleashed havoc at NIT Silchar after a deadly clash broke out late night on September 8 in hostels. According to reports, third year Bangladeshi students attacked final year Bangladeshi students with rods, knives and screwdrivers after turning off all the lights. The students were admitted under a scholarship programme from the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR).
NIT Silchar authorities found enough evidence against five third-year Bangladeshi students after an internal investigation. The third-year students were found to be the primary instigators of the attack. The students were also in possession of half kg of cannabis. Reports also allege that the students were under influence of drugs during the clash. As of now, the five students are suspended and will be barred from attending anymore classes for 1 year.
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As per NIT director, Dilipkumar Baidya, the suspended students were identified as Shahriar Ahmed Akash, Simanto Ghosh, Soumyajit Paul, Sajjad Hossain Rafi, and Md Noor Hossain. Baidya said, “They have been suspended for one year, barred from attending classes, expelled from hostels for two semesters, and will be repatriated to Bangladesh.”
Eyewitnesses reported mayhem at the scenes on the night of September 8. The Bangladeshi students armed with rods, knives and screwdrivers launched a violent assault on their fellow countrymen. The assault began after a disagreement and lasted for nearly half an hour. Two students suffered grave head injuries and are admitted in the intensive care at Silchar Medical College and Hospital (SMCH).
Campus sources allege that the clash might be a spillover from the political unrest in Bangladesh. It appears that two factions have developed among the Bangladeshi student community at NIT Silchar – one supporting Awami League and the other backing the Yunus government.
Accused Bangladeshi NIT Silchar Students to be sent back home
NIT Director, Dilip Kumar Baidya told IANS – “We have taken strict actions against five students from Bangladesh, studying under Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) scholarships, after they were found involved in violent clashes on campus earlier this month. Following their suspension, all five students were sent back to their homes in Bangladesh as they will not be able to attend classes here.”
Baidya added, “We have adequate evidence to establish their involvement in the violence. They have been suspended for one academic year and expelled from the hostel. Since they cannot continue their studies here, they have been repatriated.”
Meanwhile, Dean of student welfare S S Dhar recovered contraband items from their hostel rooms. “The disciplinary action was taken not only for the violence but also for drug use,” Dhar said.
The Dean also said, “We are satisfied with the investigation and the disciplinary measures taken. The ICCR director who came down was also convinced, so there was no need to involve the police.”
