Chhatra Shakti activists beat DU student over alleged Chhatra League links

Bangla Press Desk:    A group of activists of Jatiya Chhatra Shakti and the Students against Discrimination (SAD) allegedly beat a Dhaka University (DU) student for several hours after accusing him of having links with the banned Chhatra League.

The injured student was later dropped off at Shahbagh Police Station.The alleged beating took place from Sunday night (March 8) to Monday morning in the areas of Dhaka University and Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET).

The injured student, Rahid Khan Pavel, is a student of the Philosophy Department at Dhaka University from the 2020–21 academic session and a resident of Muktijoddha Ziaur Rahman Hall.

According to the victim, the incident began when he went to Kazi Nazrul Islam Hall of BUET to eat Sehri. He alleged that several people present there detained him after calling him a “Chhatra League member”. Later, around 20–25 people led by activists of Jatiya Chhatra Shakti beat him for nearly two hours.Pavel said he was first assaulted inside BUET. “Later, they took me on a rickshaw to Salimullah Muslim Hall and beat me again. Then they detained me in front of the VC Chhatar and the Raju Sculpture and assaulted me repeatedly,” he said.

He alleged that the attackers used bricks, belts and motorcycle locks during the assault. “They hit me in the face with a bike key. Blood came out of my mouth and I sustained serious injuries in different parts of my body,” he said.

Pavel claimed that he repeatedly asked them to hand him over to the police if he had committed any offence. “But they did not listen to me. I am not affiliated with any political party. I am a student who regularly attends classes,” he added.

After the incident, the injured student was taken to Shahbagh Police Station, from where police sent him to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for primary treatment.

Shahbagh Police Station Inspector (Operation) Md Khokon Mia said a group of students brought Pavel to the police station on allegations of involvement with Chhatra League.

“As he was ill, we sent him to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for treatment. So far, no written complaint has been received,” he said.

Meanwhile, several leaders and activists of the Dhaka University unit of Jatiya Chhatra Shakti admitted that Pavel had been beaten.

Md Saifullah, organising secretary of the DU unit of Jatiya Chhatra Shakti, told Daily Sun that he was not directly involved in the assault. However, he said that activists including Sardar Nadim Mahmud Shuvo and Hasib Al Islam were present at the scene.

He claimed that Pavel had been associated with attackers during the July Uprising and had earlier been boycotted from both his hall and department. Saifullah also alleged that Pavel had recently been trying to become active on campus with former Chhatra League members.

“He was beaten to extract information about his involvement. Later, he was detained and handed over to the police,” Saifullah said.

When asked whether any written complaint had been filed with the university proctor’s office regarding the allegations, he admitted that no such complaint had been submitted.

“We caught the accused and handed him over to the police,” he said.

Hasib Al Islam, a key organiser of SAD who was also accused in the beating incident, said the allegations were being presented without hearing their side.

“If the Awami League returns, please do not blame us anymore. Many have used the opposition for political gain and damaged our anti-Awami moral ground,” he said.

However, he added, “Yes, we have fulfilled our historical duty. We handed over a Chhatra League member to the police.”

Another accused activist, Sardar Nadim Mahmud Shuvo, said, “Preventing terrorism is being called terrorism today.”

Sources said Pavel had previously been associated with the banned Chhatra League. On 22 August 2024. following the July uprising, students of Muktijoddha Ziaur Rahman Hall declared 18 students, including Pavel, unwanted in the hall over alleged links with the organisation.

It was also alleged that he had been involved with the “Prolay Gang,” which was accused of creating unrest on the campus in 2023.

Jamal Ruhani, a master’s student of Surjsen Hall, claimed that Pavel was not an ordinary student but had often appeared in the front row of Chhatra League processions in Zia Hall. According to him, Pavel’s name also appeared on the 2023 Chhatra League election management committee.

“However, beating someone is not acceptable even if they are from Chhatra League or Awami League. There is law and court in the country. If there is a complaint, legal action should be taken. It should not turn into mob justice,” he said.

Dhaka University Proctor Saifuddin Ahmed said the authorities were aware of the incident.

“It is primarily the responsibility of the police to take legal action. If there are allegations of criminal activity, action will be taken according to the law,” he said.

Meanwhile, several leaders of student organisations criticised the incident and described it as an example of mob attack.

Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) Vice-President Shadik Kayem said one of the demands of the July Uprising was to end unjust physical violence.

“If someone is a criminal, legal action should be taken against him,” he asserted.Source: daily Sun

BP/SP