Student assaulted by 2 JCD leaders at SUST after complaining about food

The alleged assault took place at around 10:45PM on Saturday near the university's main gate.

The accused have been identified as Hasibur Rahman, Communication Secretary of the SUST JCD unit, and Tareq Rahman, Assistant Office Secretary of the organization. 

All three are residents of Shah Paran Hall.

According to sources, Khairul recently tagged Shah Paran Hall Provost Professor Dr. Iftekhar Ahmed in the hall's WhatsApp group to complain about the quality of food served in the cafeteria. In his message, he sarcastically suggested that the provost should try the food himself. Following the complaint, Tareq allegedly called Khairul and asked him to apologize to the provost. Later, after Khairul again tagged the provost regarding the food issue, he was allegedly assaulted near the university's main gate.

Eyewitness Abrar Bin Selim, a student of the Department of Economics, said he saw Khairul arguing with Tareq and Hasibur. According to Abrar, Tareq informed him about Khairul's complaint in the hall WhatsApp group. As Khairul attempted to explain himself, Hasibur repeatedly interrupted him. Khairul then questioned whether Hasibur was trying to exert political influence and said that if he had anything to discuss, he would speak directly to the hall provost rather than to them.

Abrar alleged that Hasibur then kicked Khairul in the chest, after which Tareq repeatedly struck him on the back of the head and upper neck. The two allegedly continued assaulting him.

Following the incident, the injured student was taken to Mount Adora Hospital in Sylhet for treatment. Khairul later submitted a written complaint to the university administration.

In his complaint, Khairul said that on July 16 he collected dinner from the Shah Paran Hall cafeteria and found the fish to be rotten. He then lodged a complaint in the hall's WhatsApp group by tagging the provost. On the night of July 17, he alleged that Hasibur and Tarek confronted him over the complaint and instructed him to apologize to the provost.

Khairul further alleged that on July 18, when he arrived at the hall gate for dinner, Hasibur called him over and demanded to know why he had not apologized. He claimed Tarek threatened him, saying, "Do you know who I am? I'll slap your teeth out." Before he could respond, Hasibur allegedly kicked him forcefully in the chest while Tarek repeatedly hit him on the head and neck. Khairul also alleged that Hasibur kicked him again and broke his mobile phone.

Attempts to contact Hasibur Rahman for comment were unsuccessful as his phone was switched off.

Responding to the allegations, Tarek Rahman said the hall provost had been upset by Khairul's comments in the WhatsApp group and that he was merely trying to explain the matter to him. However, he claimed Khairul, despite being a junior student, behaved disrespectfully.

Tareq further alleged that the argument escalated when Khairul approached him aggressively and made physical contact. According to him, Hasibur intervened to stop the situation, leading to a scuffle in which Hasibur's glasses were broken, his hand was cut, and Khairul's phone was damaged.

Shah Paran Hall Provost Professor Dr. Iftekhar Ahmed denied any involvement in the incident.

''I had no connection with this matter and did not encourage anyone to assault the student,'' he said. ''Whenever a student raises concerns regarding the hall, I invite them to my office and try to resolve the issue through discussion. All students are equal to me.''

Following the incident, students staged a sit-in protest outside the residence of Vice-Chancellor Professor Khairul Islam, demanding justice and punishment for those responsible. At around 3:30AM, the vice-chancellor assured the protesters that the matter would be investigated and justice ensured within three working days.

The university administration has since formed a three-member investigation committee headed by Professor Dr. Mohammad Jasim Uddin, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences. The other members are Professor A.F.M. Zakaria, Provost of Bijoy 24 Hall, and Assistant Proctor Professor Md. Belal Hossain Sikder. The committee has been instructed to submit its report within three days.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Khairul Islam said the university is committed to conducting a proper investigation and ensuring fair justice based on the committee's findings.