Chhatra Union activists beaten at DU after protesting outsiders' inappropriate comments towards female students

Several Chhatra Union leaders and activists were beaten at Dhaka University after they protested against inappropriate comments allegedly made by several outsiders towards three female students.

At least four Chhatra Union activists were injured in the incident.

The organisation alleged that the attackers were leaders and activists of the Dhaka metropolitan unit of Jatiotabadi Chhatra Dal. 

The incident took place at the foot of the Anti-Terrorism Raju Memorial Sculpture last night (19 August).

Describing the incident, Chhatra Union Central General Secretary Shimul Kumbhakar told The Business Standard that three female students of Dhaka University were trying to take a rickshaw in front of the Raju Memorial Sculpture when several outsiders allegedly made inappropriate comments towards them.

"When some Chhatra Union activists went to speak to them, they started pushing and then attacked our activists. When I tried to stop them, they also started punching and hitting me. Four of us were beaten," he said.

He said the attackers identified themselves as followers of Chhatra Dal.

"However, as they were outsiders, we could not identify any of them," he added.

Speaking to The Business Standard this morning, Chhatra Dal Central General Secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir said, "It is a very unfortunate incident. This is not acceptable."

He said they contacted Chhatra Union leaders and expressed regret as soon as they heard about the incident last night.

"If we get the full video footage of the incident, we will identify those responsible and take action against them," he added.