Rajshahi student movement leader attacked by 'Chhatra Dal activists'

A leader of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement in Rajshahi was attacked by alleged members of Chhatra Dal today (21 November).

The victim Sohel Rana, a student of Rajshahi College, is currently undergoing treatment at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital. 

Dr Shankar K Biswas, in-charge of the emergency department at the hospital, said the victim was out of danger. No major injuries were found on his body, though he did have a few minor wounds.

"Nevertheless, he has been admitted to the hospital's surgery ward for further observation," he added.

According to Sohel Rana, a meeting of coordinators was held at the district collector's office ground in the afternoon. A dispute arose when the leaders of the student movement from Rajshahi University were not invited.

At one point, local Chhatra Dal leaders targeted him and brutally assaulted him. Fleeing from the scene, he took a rickshaw to the hospital but was intercepted by a group of 20-25 Chhatra Dal activists near Hazi Mohammad Mohsin Government High School and beat him with sticks and rods. 

He was later rescued by locals and taken to the hospital.   

Sohel Rana claimed that he was attacked because he protested against the unethical activities of the Chhatra Dal at the college.

However, denying the allegations, Rajshahi College Chhatra Dal Convener Khalid Bin Walid Abir stated Chhatra Dal had no reason to carry out any attacks. 

He said, "From what we heard, a scuffle broke out between two groups within the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, and one of the groups attacked him. Since some Chhatra Dal activists are also part of the movement, they were also present.

Khalid claimed Sohel Rana is a controversial individual. He was previously involved with the Chhatra League. Despite the absence of a coordination committee for the student movement at Rajshahi College, he falsely claimed to be a coordinator.

"I have heard about the incident but do not know who was involved in it. Action will be taken if a complaint is filed," Rajpara Police Station Officer-In-Charge Ashraful Alam told The Business Standard.

Meanwhile, Abdur Rahim, one of the leaders of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement from Rajshahi College, claimed that a student named Fatin from Dhaka, falsely presenting himself as the central coordinator, had called a meeting. 

"Upon hearing this, the leaders from Rajshahi confronted and drove them away."

Regarding the attack on Sohel Rana, he said it might have been due to personal disputes and had no connection to the meeting.