Three students beaten at Rajshahi University library as RUCSU, Shibir face assault allegations

An alleged assault inside Rajshahi University's Central Library has left three students injured. 

Members of the RUCSU and Islami Chhatra Shibir have been accused of the attack on Monday.

Of the injured, two were as Mahmudul Hasan and another identified only as Anas -- both from the history department.

The identity of the third student could not immediately be verified.

The injured were sent to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital. 

RUCSU leaders, however, claimed the assault came after Anas and his associates attacked the office.

According to RUCUS, Anas had earlier been slapped by General Secretary Salahuddin Ammar and Assistant General Secretary Salman Sabbir at the proctor's office.

The incident stemmed from a complaint filed on Sunday night by a student who alleged she had been pressured into a relationship at gunpoint. 

Anas had gone to the proctor's office claiming to represent the accused student's guardian, where he allegedly misbehaved with university officials.

A meeting was held the following day to resolve the dispute, where Anas was reportedly slapped by RUCSU leaders.

RUCSU claimed Anas later led an attack on its office, injuring its Information and Research Secretary Nazmus Shakib before fleeing to the library reading room, where another confrontation erupted.

Fresh allegations say the injured students were assaulted again while being taken to an ambulance.

Shibir General Secretary Mehedi Hasan denied involvement, saying members had rushed to the scene after hearing that RUCSU leaders had been attacked.

Jatiotabadi Chhatra Dal denied any link to the alleged attack on the RUCSU office but staged a protest march, accusing Shibir of assaulting students inside the library and trying to destabilise the campus. 

Attempts to reach Vice-Chancellor Prof Faridul Islam for comment were unsuccessful.