Dentist on life support after trying to save son from teen gang attack

A 60-year-old dentist is battling for life after suffering severe head injuries in an attack by a group of teenagers while trying to save his son from an assault by the gang.

Dr Korban Ali has been practising dentistry in the No 2 Gate area of Chattogram for a long time.

The incident took place on Friday at West Feroz Shah Colony under Akbar Shah police station of the port city. Rana was also targeted for saving a pedestrian from the gang's aggression by dealing 999 for police assistance.

According to the police, the attackers identified themselves as followers of Chittagong University Chhatra League wing Vice-President Golam Rasul Nishan.

Following the attack, Korban was rushed to Chattogram Medical College Hospital. As his condition worsened, he was transferred to a private hospital called Medical Centre in the city.

He was currently undergoing treatment in the hospital's ICU as of writing this report. Doctors said Korban Ali's condition was critical due to brain haemorrhage.

"Doctors declared him clinically dead on Sunday night. Although his life support has not been withdrawn, it could be automatically deactivated at any moment," Korban Ali's cousin Jasim Uddin told TBS on Monday (8 April).

According to him, Rana was also injured in the attack.

He said, "A few days before the incident, Rana had witnessed the gang assaulting a pedestrian while walking down the road. Reacting promptly, Rana dialled 999 for help to rescue the man from the assault. Subsequently, the police arrived and apprehended some of them."

The gang members allegedly visited Rana's house that night and threatened to take revenge.

"Last Friday, while Rana was purchasing iftar items from a shop adjacent to his house, he was attacked by several members of the gang, including Samir, Apurba, Riyad, Sohel, and Aqib. Korban Ali rushed to his son's aid and during the altercation, he sustained severe head injuries," Jasim added.

Rana told TBS, "We are familiar with the attackers. We have no prior enmity with them. Our only fault was intervening to rescue someone from their clutches, which provoked the attack against us.

"The attackers, including Samir, Apurba, Riyad, Sohel, and Aqib are part of the gang notorious for various criminal activities in the area. They are known in the locality as followers of local Chhatra League leader Golam Rasul Nishan," he said, adding that a formal complaint has been filed over the incident.

When contacted, Akbar Shah Police Station OC Mostafizur Rahman Bhuiyan confirmed that a case has been filed against 8-10 people in connection with the attack on Dr Korban Ali.

"We have received information suggesting that this attack stemmed from prior enmity. The attackers are allegedly followers of Chittagong University unit Chhatra League Vice-President Golam Rasul Nishan. Our investigation into the matter is underway."

However, no one has been arrested in connection with this incident yet, said the OC.

Golam Rasul Nishan could not be reached for comment.