Protest remembering Abrar Fahad comes under BCL attack,12 injured

Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) men on Friday (7 October) allegedly attacked a protest rally brought out in remembrance of Abrar Fahad, who was beaten to death at his residential hall in Buet by some BCL leaders on 7 October, 2019.

At least 12 activists of Bangladesh Chhatra Odhikar Parishad were injured in the sudden attack at the TSC area on Dhaka University campus while observing Abrar Fahad's third death anniversary, claimed Bin Yamin Mollah, president of Chhatra Odhikar Parishad.

"The BCL men attacked us during a peaceful programme without any provocation, leaving at least 12 activists injured" he told TBS.

The injrured protesters were rushed to Dhaka Medical College and Hospital where a fresh set of clashes broke out, leaving another three Chhatra Odhikar Parishad activists injured. The BCL men allegedly attacked them while they were talking to the journalists.

They are Sajjad Hossain, Sanaullah and Rakib, all students of the DU and activists of Chhatra Odhikar Parishad.

Injured Sanaullah, central committee member of the Chhatra Odhikar Parishad told TBS, "BCL men have beaten us in front of the journalists and forced us take shelter inside a police car."

TBS coudn't reach BCL General Secretary Lekhak Bhattacharjee for a comment despite several phone calls.

BCL central social affairs sub-committee secretary Tanbir hasan Shaikat claimed that Chhatra Odhikar Parishad activists carried out attack on them.

"Few of our activists are injured and Chhatra Odhikar attacked them as they were receiving medical treatment at the DMCH," he said.

Officials at the emergency department of the DMCH told the media that at least 13 injured received treatment at the hospital.

Weeks ago, BCL men allegedly attacked Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) leaders and activists when they went to meet the Vice-Chancellor at the Dhaka University campus.

On 7 October, 2019, Abrar was beaten to death by then leaders and activists of Buet unit of the ruling Awami League-backed student body Chhatra League over his Facebook post criticising the government's deals with India.

The killing triggered protests at home and abroad. Abrar's father filed a case against 19 students.

On 8 December, 2021, the Dhaka Speedy Trial Tribunal-1 sentenced 20 students of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology to death for the murder of Abrar Fahad at a hall over his Facebook post on Bangladesh-India deals.

The tribunal also sentenced the other five accused to life imprisonment.

All the 25 accused were students of the university and leaders and activists of the Bangladesh Chhatra League who were expelled from the university and the ruling Awami League-backed student organisation amid protests against the murder.

The case is now pending with the High Court.

Several hours before his killing, Abrar returned from his home and was taking rest in his room at his hall. Abrar was taken by his fellows, quizzed for hours and was tortured to death, and whole things happened in a restricted area at the hall.

The police investigation found that he was outspoken that made many angry with him, and he had no political affiliation.