Student movement leader comes under attack in Bagerhat

KM Shakib, joint convener of the Bagerhat District Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, was attacked yesterday night (1 February) in Morrelganj Upazila of Bagerhat district.

The incident took place around 9pm at the Ghashiakhali-Mallickerber Kheyaghat area, where Shakib was beaten severely by a group of 25 to 30 assailants.

Later, Shakib, 24, was rescued by locals and rushed to the Bagerhat 250-bed District Hospital.

According to hospital officials, Shakib sustained head injuries in the attack but is currently in stable condition and undergoing treatment.

Dr Asim Kumar Samaddar, superintendent at the hospital, said that Shakib is out of danger and will recover soon.

Shakib, son of Billal Khalifa from Ghashiakhali village, said that the attack may have been related to a comment he made on a Facebook post during the anti-discrimination student movement in July-August.

He said that the incident escalated when he protested against a trawler operator who had been barred from crossing the river by a local man named Zahid.

Shortly after, Chhatra Dal leader Shaon appeared and began threatening Shakib. Moments later, attackers arrived and physically assaulted Shakib, causing injuries.

Shakib also alleged that the attackers made threats to his family, warning they would harm them and to cut off his hand.

The police have not yet received a formal complaint regarding the incident, and no arrests have been made.

Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Morrelganj Police Station said that he rescued Shakib soon after the incident around 3am yesterday and was hospitalised.

The OC also said that the attackers are believed to be from nearby Rampal Upazila, and efforts to nab them are ongoing.