Four Dhaka University students have been assaulted reportedly by ruling party student wing Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) for their alleged links with Islami Chhatra Shibir.
The incident was reported from the guest room of the university’s Sergeant Jahurul Haque dormitory late on Tuesday (Jan 21) night.
Shahbag police OC Abul Hasan said that the four students were handed over to the police around 3 am on Wednesday (Jan 22). The police later took them to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) for treatment.
The victims are Md Mukim Chowdhury, a second-year student of the Tourism and Hospitality Management Department, Sanwar Hossain, a third-year student of Political Science Department, second-year student Minhaj Uddin of Islamic History and Culture Department and Afsar Uddin, a second-year student of the Arabic Department.
BCL activists claim that Shibir-related books were seized from the four students. They, however, couldn’t name or produce the books.
According to sources at the dormitories, the injured students have actively taken part in BCL activities with the now-dissolved committee leaders. They reportedly participated in rallies and meetings as well.
Sources said that hall unit BCL leaders called Mukim Chowdhury to the guest rooms around 11 pm on Tuesday. They reportedly grilled him about his Shibir affiliations. When he continuously denied being linked they checked his messenger, based on which the rest of the victims were called in. Several BCL activists led by hall union Vice President Saifullah Abbasi allegedly beat them up.
Abbasi, however, said that those students were not hit and just handed over to the police for their links to Shibir.
Responding to queries on why they were in hospital, he said, “I wasn’t involved. I don’t know anything about it.”
Dhaka University Central Students Union Assistant General Secretary Saddam Hossain says, “No one has jurisdiction to take the law in their hands.”
Saddam who also serves as BCL’s DU unit General Secretary added that if indeed they had Shibir links, the administration should have been informed.
A student hall union leader speaking on the condition of anonymity said, “It’s the hall union’s job to work on behalf of the students’ safety. But blaming someone as Shibir without proof is unfortunate.”
Resident teacher Md Billal Hossain told Bangla Tribune that the students have been handed over to police over allegations of being involved in religion-based politics.
DU Proctor Golam Rabbani says that they are yet to receive a written complaint and measures will be initiated if they do.