A student endured all-night torture by activists claiming to be associated with the Chhatra League at the Bangabandhu Hall of Barishal University.
Mukul Ahmed, a fourth-year student of the English Department, fell victim to the brutality, reportedly at the hands of Tanjid Manju and Shahab Uddin, who are self-identified Chhatra League members.
The incident unfolded on Thursday night in room 4018 of the Bangabandhu Hall, where Mukul was subjected to a harrowing ordeal. The following morning, concerned fellow students discovered Mukul's injuries and rushed him to the Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital in Barishal.
Mukul hails from Narsingdi Sadar. He is the son of a carpenter and manages his own and his sister's education expenses through private tutoring.
In an exclusive interview, Mukul recounted the horrifying ordeal, explaining that he stumbled upon some first-year students from the English Department on his way back to the dormitory late at night. They told him that the senior students from the Bangabandhu Hall were looking for him. Mukul, unfamiliar with the reason behind this, was aware of previous ragging incidents and reported them to the department's teachers, who had taken measures to ensure his safety.
Disturbingly, Mukul received a message from Tanjid through a messenger group on Thursday evening, stating that they could not guarantee his safety. Subsequently, Manju and Shahab took Mukul to the 4018 room and physically assaulted him, using sticks. After an attempt to break his hands, they abandoned the injured student and locked the door from the outside, leaving him traumatised.
Mukul was discovered and rescued from this room and immediately taken to the hospital. Dr Mohammad Nahid, an orthopaedic specialist at Sherbachim Hospital, confirmed that Mukul had sustained fractures in his left hand. He received the necessary medical treatment, and the bandages will be removed after 21 days. If the fractures do not heal properly, orthopaedic intervention may be required.
Barishal University Provost Arif Hossain expressed his concern over the incident and assured that appropriate action would be taken after the investigation. Proctor Mohammad Khurshid Alam commented on the disturbing nature of the event and promised that the university administration would address the situation accordingly.
To date, there is no official affiliation of any Chhatra League committee at Barishal University, but various informal groups identify themselves as Chhatra League members within the university campus.
The incident has sparked outrage among students, faculty, and the general public, calling for justice and stringent measures against the perpetrators. The investigation is ongoing to ascertain the full details of the horrifying incident and ensure that justice is served.
