Student Wing Leaders Accused of Assaulting Youth Leader in Rajshahi Over Business Dispute
A local youth leader remains hospitalized following a violent altercation in Bagmara, Rajshahi, where he was allegedly beaten by a group of student political activists. Asadul Islam, 38, a former president of the Goalkandi Union Jubo Dal and a cable television and internet service provider, was assaulted Thursday night at his place of business.
According to the victim, the attack occurred around 10 p.m. when North Bengal University Chhatra Dal President Parvez Rana, accompanied by union-level Chhatra Dal leaders Sumon and Shahin Alam, arrived at his office. Islam reported that a dispute regarding his cable business quickly escalated, leading the suspects to strike him with sticks and metal rods before vandalizing his shop. The incident was captured on a Facebook live stream, which later helped local residents intervene and provide initial aid.
Following the assault, Islam was rushed to a local health complex before being transferred to the Rajshahi Medical College Hospital due to the severity of his injuries. In a statement posted to social media on Friday, Islam alleged that the attack was motivated by his vocal opposition to the suspects’ involvement in extortion and narcotics.
Parvez Rana has denied the allegations, characterizing the confrontation as a misunderstanding. He claimed that Islam had forcibly seized a cable business from a woman and that the encounter Thursday night was a heated debate regarding the resolution of that property dispute. Rana stated that no physical beating took place, alleging instead that the Facebook live broadcast was a staged effort to frame them for a crime that did not occur.
Authorities at the Bagmara police station confirmed that no formal complaint has been filed regarding the incident. Officer-in-Charge Zillur Rahman stated that police are prepared to launch a full investigation and take legal action once an official report is submitted.
