And the sufferings continue

Ehsan Rafiq, a Dhaka University (DU) student who was mercilessly beaten up by some Bangladesh Chhatra League men on February 6 over a calculator, would be taken to India for better treatment.

Not being satisfied after consulting several eye specialists at Birdem and National Eye Hospital, his family has decided to take him to Shankar Netralaya in Chennai of India.

Ehsan cannot see anything with his right eye, said his father Rafiqul Islam. He faces difficulty in eating and could not have a proper sleep over the last few days, said the father.

“As the condition of his right eye has not improved, we will take him to India very soon for better treatment,” Rafiqul told The Daily Star over the phone yesterday. 

“My father became blind due to wrong treatment; I do not want my son to face the same fate,” said Rafiq breaking down in tears.

Mentioning Ehsan's academic performance, Rafiqul said, “Ehsan got 100 percent attendance marks in the last two semesters. But he cannot take part in any academic activities due to the eye condition. I do not want to see him out of class anymore.”

Surprisingly, the university authorities did not respond to the application submitted by Ehsan's father to the dean of earth and environmental science faculty seeking financial support for Ehsan's treatment, said his father.

Contacted, DU Vice Chancellor Prof Akhtaruzzamn admitted that he had received the letter through the dean of earth and environmental science faculty.

He said they would give it a thought after a discussion. 

Meanwhile, the probe body formed over the incident submitted its report to the VC on Friday, confirmed Prof Shabbir Ahmed, head of the committee.

Asked, the DU VC said, “I got the report and would take action after discussing the issue in a syndicate meeting; prior to that, the report will be placed before the Disciplinary Board (DB) meeting.”

On February 6 night, a group of BCL activists of Salimullah Muslim Hall unit of DU beat up Ehsan Rafiq, a second year student of disaster management and science department, leaving his right eye seriously injured.