Jamaat says some Shibir activists involved in attacking MC College student

Some activists of Bangladesh Islami Chhatrashibir were involved in the recent attack on MC College student Mizanur Rahman Riyad, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami said today (23 February) in stark contradiction to Shibir's claim in this regard.

Jamaat-e-Islami's Sylhet Metropolitan Ameer Muhammad Fakhrul Islam made the statement after a meeting with the Sylhet-based party Anjuman-e-Al-Islah in the evening.

"Some members of the Chhatrashibir were involved in the incident over a post on Facebook. What they did was done wrongly and that is regrettable. We condemn this incident. We express our regret," he said after the meeting.

Fakhrul's statement contradicts a Shibir's central committee statement, issued after the attack, that denied the involvement of their men in the attack after the incident.

The attack on Riyad, a third-year student in the English department, on 19 February night sparked protests by various student organisations and nationwide condemnation.

He is also a leader of Talamiyyah Islamiya, the student wing of the religious organisation Bangladesh Anjumane Al Islah.

The attack took place at the MC College hostel on Wednesday midnight over a Facebook post.

According to Reyad's roommate, Junaid Ahmed, last night when the two were preparing to go to bed, they heard a loud banging on the door, The Business Standard reported on 20 February.

When they opened the door, 10-12 men, led by MC College Chhatra Shibir Secretary Lukman Munna, entered the room and kicked Riyad off the bed.

Junaid said the attackers asked Riyad what he wrote about Shibir regarding the recent attacks in KUET. 

They then beat up Riyad, with some using iron rods.

It was also alleged that the attackers tried to cut Riyad's leg with a sharp weapon. 

However, other students and employees of the dormitory gathered at the sound of Junaid's screams outside the room. 

Later, the attackers dragged Riyad out of the room in a bloody state and left.