2001: Chhatra Dal's murder-rape-extortion under Tarique's support held the entire country hostage

Within six months into the formation of the government on October 20, 2001, BNP-Jamaat leaders and activists established a reign of murder-rape-grabbing-extortion-robbery across the country. Chhatra Dal and Shibir started armed showdowns in educational institutions. They started killing Awami League supporters and ordinary people. Chhatra Dal cadres even started raping women by taking them away from their homes and misbehaving with them on their way to schools and colleges. They started brutally torturing businessmen of all levels, from the city to the village, if they did not get extortion money.

After the election, the daily Janakantha reported on November 19, 2001, that the Chhatra Dal anarchy created a frightening situation across the country. The law enforcement agencies did not stop Chhatra Dal for fear of its direct relation with Tarique Rahman. It created an embarrassing situation for the government. Even, then Prime Minister Khaleda Zia was forced to temporarily suspend Chhatra Dal activities in the face of international pressure. But Chhatra Dal President Nasiruddin Pintu continued to terrorize the country through Chhatra Dal leaders and activists because of his good relationship with Tarique Rahman.

Meanwhile, Tarique Rahman picked Chhatra Dal president Nasiruddin Pintu to take control of Dhaka's business establishments, footpaths, tenders and underground. As a result, a quarter of the government deemed the official suspension of Chhatra Dal activities as 'eyewash'. The Chhatra Dal men even went on more recklessness in killing, raping, grabbing and extorting people through 'gang culture' after the so-called suspension.

At that time, a quarter of the government commented that the BNP-Jamaat government faced an international image crisis due to the criminal activities of Chhatra Dal led by Nasiruddin Pintu. It was involved in every criminal activities from the hijacking of tenders of Shiksha Bhaban, armed showdown in Nagar Bhaban, weapons training in Dhaka University, to the murders and rapes across the country. Therefore, Khaleda Zia had to suspend the activities of Chhatra Dal, but in vain. But after the drama, they became more reckless. Chhatra Dal president Nasiruddin Pintu emerged as the right hand of Tarique Rahman and started sabotaging across the country. Therefore, terrorism in the country cannot not curbed unless Pintu is stopped. But as Pintu had the direct blessing of Khaleda Zia's son Tarique Rahman, the government could not take any action regarding Chhatra Dal.