DU student beaten by NCP’s student affiliate over alleged ties to Chhatra League

The victim says the attackers also took his mobile phone, wallet, and the keys to his motorcycle

A Dhaka University student has allegedly been beaten and turned over to the police by members of the NCP’s student affiliate Jatiya Chhatra Shakti over suspicions that he was involved with the Chhatra League.

The incident occurred early on Monday morning around Sehri time. The victim, Rahid Khan Pavel, is a student of the Department of Philosophy from the 2020-21 academic year.

He said, “I went to BUET’s Kazi Nazrul Islam Hall to have sehri. Hasib, Shuvo, Saifullah, Mohiuddin and Abrar were also there. They led 20-25 people to beat me for two to two-and-a-half hours without any reason.

“If I am guilty, hand me over to police. That’s what I told them. But they didn’t listen to me.”

Pavel said, “They beat me there and then brought me to Palashi and beat me again. From there, they took me to the VC Chattar area on a motorcycle and a few people beat me severely. Later, when my condition worsened, they threw me down at Shahbagh Police Station. From there, police arrested me.

Pavel said, “They beat me up and called me a member of the Chhatra League. I have never been part of any organisation. I hold no position.”

He also alleged that after beating him, the attackers also took his mobile phone, money bag, and the keys to his motorcycle.

Among those he has accused of assault are Saifullah, a leader of the Dhaka University branch of the Jatiya Chhatra Shakti, and Students Against Discrimination leaders Hasib Al Islam, Sardar Nadim Mohammad Shuvo, Mohammad Mohiuddin and Abrar.

Neither Saifullah, the organising secretary of the Jatiya Chhatra Shakti unit, nor Hasib picked up calls for comment.

Shahbagh Police Station Inspector (Investigation) Asaduzzaman told bdnews24.com, "Today, during Sehri, the leaders and activists of the Chhatra Shakti handed him (Pavel) over to police. Now he is in our custody. His physical condition is bad, which is why he is undergoing treatment at the Dhaka Medical College [Hospital]. Let him recover first, then we will decide what to do with him."

When asked whether the university administration would take any action over this incident, Proctor Saifuddin Ahmed told bdnews24.com: "We have not received any complaint on this. However, after learning about the incident, I requested Shahbagh Police Station to provide medical treatment to the boy. We are keeping a close eye on him.

“If we receive a complaint, we will definitely take action,” he added