Sylhet college student attacked by ‘Chhatra Shibir’ over Facebook comment on KUET clash

A student of Sylhet’s MC College has allegedly been beaten by members of Islami Chhatra Shibir, the student wing of Jamaat-e-Islami, after commenting on Facebook about the recent clash in Khulna University of Engineering and Technology, or KUET.

Mizanur Rahman Riyad, a third-year student in the English department of MC College, said he was beaten with an iron rod in his hostel room in the city’s Baluchar area around 12am on Thursday.

The assault, he claimed, occurred in the presence of Jawhar Lokman Musanna, the secretary of the MC College chapter of Chhatra Shibir. The group has denied any involvement.

Mizanur, who is currently receiving treatment at Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital, serves as the Information and Technology Secretary of the MC College branch of Bangladesh Anjumane Talamije Islamia.

Describing the attack, Mizanur recounted, “I had gone to bed after dinner when there was a knock at my door around midnight. My roommate, Rabiul, opened it, and 8 to 10 individuals from the Chhatra Shibir barged in while others remained outside.”

“They questioned me about my Facebook comment on the KUET incident. Before I could respond, they started beating me with an iron rod, blocking the door to prevent escape. They kicked me, threw me out through the back door, and then dragged me back inside to continue the assault.”

“At the end of the beating,” he added, “Jawhar Lokman Musanna entered the room. The attack continued in his presence. Eventually, he ordered them to leave and told me to vacate the room as well. My roommate later helped me reach the hospital. After my treatment, I will file a complaint with the police.”

Md Albab Hossain, president of Talamije Islamia’s MC College branch, corroborated parts of Mizanur’s account.

He stated that 10 to 15 individuals, including leaders from the MC College Chhatra Shibir, had confronted Mizanur about his Facebook comment before attacking him with rods, GI pipes, batons, and other weapons.

“His leg was fractured,” Hossain said.

“Doctors confirmed that the bone is broken. We strongly condemn this attack.”

However, Chhatra Shibir leaders have distanced themselves from the incident.

Jawhar, the accused Shibir leader, denied involvement, saying: “I was in my room during the fight. I only learned about it in the morning. This was an internal dispute among ordinary students.”

MC College Chhatra Shibir President Ismail Khan echoed this claim, suggesting that a third party orchestrated the violence.

“Those who are envious of our popularity are spreading misinformation,” he said.

“Chhatra Shibir has no involvement in this incident.”

MC College Principal Professor Abul Anam Md Riaz described the altercation as a misunderstanding.

“No organisation was involved,” he stated.

“The incident occurred between ordinary students. We have spoken with the injured student, and his condition is stable.”

In response to the incident, the college has formed a five-member committee, led by Prof Humayun Kabir Chowdhury, head of the Department of Islamic History and Culture, to investigate the attack.

The committee is expected to submit its findings within ten working days.