Staff Correspondent
Shawkat Osman Toukir, an organizer of the Bangladesh Student Federation’s Chattogram metropolitan branch, was brutally beaten by Chhatra Dal members, who falsely accused him of being a Chhatra League member.
The incident occurred on Wednesday (March 26) around 3:30 PM near Mimi Super Market in the Panchlaish area of Chattogram city.
According to eyewitness accounts, Toukir was returning home after tutoring. On his way from Probartak Mor to Gate No. 2, he was surrounded by Mirza Faruk, the member secretary of the Omar Gani MES College unit of Chhatra Dal, and several others in an alley near Mimi Super Market. They spread rumors labeling him as a Chhatra League member and gathered a crowd almost instantly. Then, they mercilessly assaulted Toukir.
Toukir stated that they tried to rob him and attempted to take him to the MES College campus. During this time, they kicked and punched him in the chest, abdomen, and face. However, they couldn’t proceed further as nearby people gathered.
Later, someone from the crowd called the national emergency helpline, 999, and police from Panchlaish Police Station arrived at the scene. The Chhatra Dal members handed Toukir over to the police, still tagging him as a Chhatra League member.
Leaders of the Bangladesh Student Federation alleged that the police initially detained Toukir based on the Chhatra Dal members’ claims. However, after other leaders arrived at the station and clarified Toukir’s identity, he was released.
Sri Dham Shil, the Political Education Secretary of the Bangladesh Student Federation’s Central Executive Committee, said, “When I arrived at the police station after hearing the news, I spoke with Mirza Faruk. He claimed that Toukir resembled a Chhatra League member by 90%, so they took responsibility and handed him over to the police. I asked Mirza Faruk, who gave him the authority to set up a checkpoint? He replied that since the Chhatra League had placed flowers on Independence Day at his college, it was his responsibility to identify them.”
A case has been filed against Mirza Faruk and another individual. Mirza Faruk is known to be a follower of Shariful Islam Tuhin, the member secretary of Chhatra Dal’s Chattogram Metropolitan unit. Police have reportedly collected CCTV footage of the incident and are working to apprehend the culprits.
Azad Hossain, an organizer of the Bangladesh Student Federation’s Chattogram University unit, commented, “Chhatra Dal must be held accountable for these muggers. They must explain who gave them the authority to beat someone up by labeling them as Chhatra League.”
