Two students, including a candidate, have allegedly been assaulted by members of Chhatra Dal during an election for the Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering Department Students’ Association at the Sylhet Agricultural University (SAU). 

One of the injured students was sent to Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital. 

The university administration has formed a seven-member investigation committee over the incident. 

However, the SAU Chhatra Dal convener claimed that the matter was entirely department-centric.

The incident took place at the Teachers-Students Centre (TSC) area of the university on Thursday afternoon. 

The two injured students are Md Abdur Rahman Rayeed and Safqat Tahsin, both fourth-year students of the Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering Department. 

Among those accused, Rajesh Bashar is reportedly a member of the university Chhatra Dal, while Sahas and the others are Chhatra Dal activists.

It is learnt that separate students’ association elections have been arranged for the university’s six faculties. 

Alongside Chhatra Dal leaders and activists, students with no affiliation to any political organisation have also contested the elections.

On Monday, elections were held for all posts of the Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering Department Students’ Association except the vice-president and general secretary positions. Four candidates are contesting the VP and GS posts, with two of them expected to be elected.

On Thursday afternoon, an argument broke out at the TSC between VP candidate Md Abdur Rahman Rayeed and Safqat and several people, including Chhatra Dal leader Rajesh and activist Sahas, over their candidacies. 

At one point, Rajesh, Sahas and several others allegedly accused Safqat of being a Chhatra League activist and assaulted both students.

The two injured students were later taken to the university’s primary healthcare centre. After receiving treatment there, Tayeed was sent to Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital.

Safqat Tahsin said, “They attacked us today over our candidacy in the students’ association election. Earlier, they had also told us that we had to work only for Chhatra Dal. When we did not agree, they became angry with us. That is why, when we went to the office today, they blocked our way and started arguing with us. Later, they attacked us.” 

He demanded proper investigation into the matter.

He said the incident took place in broad daylight in front of everyone, but “the administration is saying that CCTV footage of the incident cannot be found.” 

“They are saying there was no electricity at the time. This has now become an excuse.”

Repeated calls to accused Rajesh Bashar seeking his comments went unanswered.

Regarding the allegations, university unit Chhatra Dal president Sanaul Hossain said, “I am currently in Dhaka. Here, an altercation between two groups from the same department escalated into a fight. One side consists of Chhatra Dal leaders and activists, while the other side consists of the banned organisation Chhatra League and a clandestine organisation. Both sides were involved in the fight, and they were slightly affected by it. Now they are politicising the issue. If our side had been affected, they would have called it a clash between the two sides. Basically, this happened within the department.”

University Treasurer ATM Mahbub-e-Elahi told the media that a seven-member investigation committee, headed by the dean, had been formed to conduct a proper investigation into the incident.

The committee includes the student adviser, the proctor and members of the proctorial board, the legal adviser and members of the election commission, among others concerned.

The committee will identify those involved in the incident and make recommendations. Further action will be taken according to university rules after the investigation report is received.

“There will be no political influence in the investigation, and those responsible and those who are not will be identified impartially,” he said.

Correction: This article initially had "SUST" in the headline. This has been corrected to "SAU". We regret the error.