Visually impaired CU student beaten up by ‘BCL’ man

A visually impaired student of Chittagong University (CU) was beaten up allegedly by an activist of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) of the university unit yesterday night over a trivial matter.

The victim, Shukkur Alam, is a third-year student of philosophy department of the university.

According to the eyewitnesses, BCL activist Morshedul Alam Rifat, a student of management department who is also a member of the shuttle train-based BCL group “Bijoy”, indiscriminately beat up Shukkur around 8:30pm in front of Suhrawardy Hall.

Rifat picked up a quarrel with Shukkur around 8:20pm after he bumped into him at a shop near Suhrawardy Hall yesterday, the victim told The Daily Star.

Disable Students Society of Chittagong University (DISSCU) wage demonstration in front of Suhrawardy Hall following the incident and gave 24-hour ultimatum to the university authority to arrest the culprit on Sunday night, November 10, 2019. Photo: Collected

“At one stage, Rifat started beating me up indiscriminately…I told him (Rifat) that I am visually impaired…I had a major surgery on my left eye couple of months ago…Despite listening me, he punched on my eyes too”, he said.

Shukkur further said, “I said sorry to Rifat. I told him that it was unintentional and happened as I am visually impaired". 

Subhasish Chowdhury, a doctor of CU Medical Centre, confirmed that Shukkur was beaten up badly.

“We gave him primary treatment and asked him to go for Chittagong Medical College Hospital for his eye check-up”, he added.

Despite repeated attempts, Rifat could not be reached over mobile phone for his comment.

However, Rejaul Haque Rubel, president of CU unit BCL said, action would be taken against Rifat if he found guilty.

Terming the act “inhuman”, CU acting Proctor Pranab Mitra Chowdhury said they will take stern action after getting written complaint from the victim.

Meanwhile, Disable Students Society of Chittagong University (DISSCU) waged demonstration in front of Suhrawardy Hall following the incident and gave 24-hour ultimatum to the university authority to arrest the culprit.

Later, they called off their demonstration at around 11:00pm yesterday following the assurance of university authorities of taking steps against the accused.