Sust student claims assault by Chhatra Dal leaders after complaining about hall canteen food

A student of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (Sust) has alleged that two leaders of the university unit of Chhatra Dal assaulted him after he complained about the quality of food served at a residential hall canteen.

The incident took place near the university's main gate at around 10:45pm yesterday (18 July).

The victim, Khairul Khondokar, a student of the Sociology department's 2023-24 academic session, received treatment at Mount Adora Hospital in Sylhet after the incident, university Proctor Professor Mokhlesur Rahman said.

The accused are Hasibur Rahman, communication secretary of the university unit Chhatra Dal and a student of the Political Studies department's 2021-22 academic session, and Tarek Rahman, co-office secretary of the organisation and a student of the Statistics department from the same academic session.

Khairul alleged that on Friday he posted in the Shah Paran Hall Facebook group, mentioning the hall provost, to complain about rotten fish being served at the canteen.

He said Chhatra Dal leader Tarek later contacted him and told him that a senior university official was unhappy with the post and asked him to apologise to the hall provost.

Khairul further alleged that after poor-quality food was served again that night, he raised another complaint. When he went to the university's main gate last night, Hasibur and Tarek questioned him about the matter.

According to Khairul, he replied that if there was anything to say, the hall provost should address it.

He alleged that Hasibur then kicked him in the chest, while Tarek repeatedly struck him on the head and face. Other students later rescued him and took him to hospital.

Tarek denied the allegations.

He claimed the hall provost was upset over Khairul's Facebook post and that they had gone to explain the matter.

According to Tarek, Khairul behaved discourteously, leading to a scuffle between the two sides.

He alleged that during the altercation, Hasibur's glasses were broken, his hand was injured and his mobile phone was damaged.

Shah Paran Hall Provost Professor Iftekhar Ahmad denied any involvement in the incident.

He said he had neither instructed anyone to assault a student nor supported such an act.

He added that he always tried to resolve students' complaints through discussion and treated all students equally.

Following the incident, students staged a sit-in in front of the vice-chancellor's residence late last night, demanding punishment for those responsible.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Khairul Islam later assured the protesters that the investigation would be completed within three working days to ensure fair justice.