Sylhet MC College student beaten up by ‘Shibir activists’

A student of Sylhet MC College was attacked allegedly by Chhatra Shibir activists at a dormitory in Sylhet early yesterday over a Facebook comment about the recent clash between activists of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and Chhatra Dal at Kuet.

The victim, Mizanur Rahman Riyad, is a third-year English department student at the college and the information and technology affairs secretary of the college unit of Anjuman-e-Talamiz-e-Islamia, a student organisation.

Mizanur is also an activist of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement.

Talking to reporters, Juned Ahmed, a master's student of the college's Bangla department, who was present during the attack, said two days ago, Riyad commented on a post regarding a recent incident at Kuet, stating that those who engaged in disorderly conduct in the past and those doing it now are the same.

"Around midnight, a total of 12 to 13 Chhatra Shibir activists entered our room and started questioning Riyad about his comment," said Juned, also assistant organising secretary of the college unit of Talamiz.

During the altercation over the issue, the Shibir men began beating Riyad with iron rods, he said.

Juned said the college unit secretary of Chhatra Shibir arrived at the scene during the attack.

"Under his directive, the attackers took away our mobile phones and money," said Juned. "Riyad is now receiving treatment at Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital," Juned said.

Denying the allegation, Jawhar Lokman Musanna, general secretary of the college unit of Chhatra Shibir, said, "I was in my room at the hostel till morning. I was informed about the incident in the morning."

"This was an internal matter of the residents of the hostel and Chhatra Shibir has nothing to do with it and the college authority may form a probe body to investigate the matter and take action," he said.

MC College Principal Prof Abul Anam Md Riaz said, "Neither the dormitory superintendent nor was I aware of the attack at night. I visited the injured student at the hospital after learning about it this morning."

A probe committee will be formed to investigate the matter and take necessary actions, he added

Mohammad Saiful Islam, additional deputy commissioner of Sylhet Metropolitan Police, said a dispute arose among dormitory students over a Facebook post, leading to a scuffle. However, since the original Facebook post has been deleted, verifying the details is difficult.

"No formal complaint has been filed yet, but we are looking into the matter," added the police official.