Two Coordinators Hospitalized After Brutal Beating in Clash Over New Student Organization

Staff Reporter

Two coordinators, Mishu Ali (24) and Akib Al Hasan (23), were severely beaten during a clash between two groups at Dhaka University’s Madhur Canteen over the formation of the Bangladesh Democratic Students’ Council (BDSC).

On Wednesday, February 26, around 5:45 PM, the injured were rescued and taken to the emergency department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH).

Nahid Islam, a DU student who brought Akib to the hospital, said, “Several people were injured in a clash between two groups at Madhur Canteen over the announcement of a new student organization by leaders of the mass uprising. Among them, Mishu and Akib were brought to DMCH for emergency treatment.”

He added, “Students from private universities and seven colleges feel they have been underrepresented and discriminated against in the committee. Central coordinators Mishu Ali, a student of DU’s Journalism Department, and Akib Al Hasan, a student of the Masters in Printing and Studies Department, were injured in the incident.”

However, Nahid could not confirm who was responsible for the brutal beating.

Inspector Md. Faruk, in-charge of the DMCH police camp, said, “Two students injured in a clash at Dhaka University have been brought to DMCH. They are currently receiving treatment in the emergency department.”

Earlier, the new student organization formed by Baecha activists was named the Bangladesh Democratic Students’ Council. The name was announced at a press conference in front of Madhur Canteen in the afternoon.

The central committee of the organization includes Abu Bakar Majumdar as Convener, Tawhid Mohammad Siam as Senior Joint Convener, Zahid Ahsan as Member Secretary, Rifat Rashid as Senior Member Secretary, Tahmid Al Muddassir Chowdhury as Chief Organizer, and Ashrefa Khatun as Spokesperson.

The DU committee includes Abdul Kader as Convener, Limon Mahmud Hasan as Senior Joint Convener, Mahir Alam as Member Secretary, Al Amin Sarkar as Senior Member Secretary, Hasib Al Islam as Chief Organizer, and Rafia Rehnuma Hridi as Spokesperson.

Meanwhile, a group of students, dissatisfied with the committee formation, began protesting. They chanted slogans, leading to a chase between private university and DU students. Under pressure, the new student organization expanded its committee from 8 to 12 members.

Tensions escalated at Madhur Canteen over the announcement of the new student organization. When coordinator Abu Bakar Majumdar began his speech, students from private universities became agitated. The situation turned chaotic, leading to a physical altercation among the organizers. Two injured coordinators were admitted to DMCH.

Coordinator Hasib Al Islam said, “Action will be taken against those involved in the dispute over the committee.”