Chhatra Dal members allegedly beat, parade Chhatra League activist in autorickshaw in Natore

A Chhatra League activist was allegedly assaulted by Chhatra Dal members and paraded through the town in a battery-run autorickshaw while one of the alleged attackers stepped on his back in Natore.

The incident, footage of which has circulated widely on social media, occurred yesterday afternoon (20 April).

The victim, Faisal Hossain, 25, a resident of Kanaikhali, is reported to be an activist of the Chhatra League.

In the video, a youth is seen lying face-down in an autorickshaw with another youth standing over him, pressing his back with a shoe-clad foot. Several others follow the vehicle, playing loud music as the victim cries out. Witnesses said the vehicle was driven for about two kilometres through the town's main road.

According to Faisal's account, he was returning home from the Fire Service intersection when Nayem, president of Ward No 7 Chhatra Dal, and Rimon, general secretary, attacked him from behind.

"They threw me onto a road divider and started beating me. Later, they put me in an autorickshaw, stepped on my back, and drove me around the town while I was screaming. They also snatched away my money bag and took all the money. When I asked why I was being attacked, they said, 'You do Chhatra League, that is your crime,'" Faisal told The Business Standard.

He claimed that after forcing him to sign a bond pledging to leave the Chhatra League, they released him to his family.

The accused, Nayeem and Rimon, have reportedly gone into hiding, and their statements could not be obtained.

However, SM Zubayer, president of Nawab Siraj-ud-Daula Government College Chhatra Dal, said, "The incident occurred without my knowledge. Those involved are ordinary students. What they did was not right. When I found out, I rescued him and handed him over to his family. Their party will take an organisational decision regarding the matter."

"But Chhatra League activists have committed more severe acts while in power, torturing senior BNP leaders and activists in public," he added.

A Facebook user identifying as Dastagir Islam, who referred to himself as a 'Mujib Sena,' shared the video and wrote, "Will we forget this barbarity? Never. We will return it many times over. The trial of this brutality against Kodor (Faisal), an active Chhatra League member of Natore, will one day be held on the soil of Natore, Inshallah."

Natore Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mahbur Rahman said upon hearing about the incident, he sent police to Kodor's house. In addition, members of the army also visited his home and spoke with his family. The matter is being taken seriously.

"No formal complaint had been filed regarding the incident. Legal action will be taken if a complaint is received," he said.