JnU student assaulted on bus over political dispute

A student of Jagannath University (JnU) was assaulted by another student, Shrikant, who defended Mridul Hasan, the vice-president of the Chhatra League from the Economics Department.

The incident occurred on today around 3:30pm, on the university's "Nongor" bus.

The victim, Kamruzzaman Kayes, a student from the History of Islam and Culture Department (Batch 17), is currently receiving treatment at the National Medical College & Hospital in Old Dhaka.

According to eyewitnesses and the victim, Mridul Hasan entered the university campus in the morning, despite having previously issued threats to several students by accusing them of affiliations with Shibir or Chhatra Dal.

In response, a group of students confronted him. However, Shrikant, a student from the Law Department (Batch 2021-22), intervened to defend Mridul and discouraged any confrontation. He also allegedly threatened some students with legal action.

When Shrikant sided with Mridul, several students began referring to him as a "traitor."

Shrikant reacted aggressively, attempting to physically assault a few of the students.

English Department faculty member Nasir Uddin later arranged a meeting with the involved students and Mridul in the university’s teachers' lounge to resolve  about that issue. During the meeting, Kamruzzaman Kayes began recording the discussion, which angered Shrikant. He tried to assault Kayes but failed at that time.

Later in the afternoon, as Kayes was heading home on the university bus, Shrikant boarded the bus and physically assaulted him, punching him repeatedly.

Eyewitness Ivan Tahsib, a student of Mass Communication and Journalism, said: "Shrikant was furious because Kayes had recorded the meeting. Even after Kayes left, Shrikant continued searching for him. Eventually, we heard that Kayes was attacked on the bus."

Kamruzzaman Kayes recounted the incident: "I was on my way home to Murghitola when Shrikant approached me on the bus and demanded to know why I had recorded the video. When I said it was just a casual recording, he started punching me. I received a cut on my forehead. Some seniors on the bus intervened, but Shrikant was also aggressive toward them. Later, I went to National Medical College's emergency department for treatment."

Shrikant admitted to the assault, saying: "Yes, I hit him, and he hit me too. I made a mistake by trying to snatch his phone, but he wouldn’t give it to me. He pushed me, so I pushed him back, and he fell. When he hit me, I retaliated, which caused the cut on his forehead. The seniors later resolved the issue at Murghitola."

When asked why he supported Mridul, Shrikant explained: "I was never involved with Chhatra League, but I have good relations with several Chhatra League leaders. I saw that Mridul wasn’t involved in any extreme activities. I told the students that if he’s done something wrong, he’ll face justice, but otherwise, they shouldn’t even touch him."

Assistant Professor Nasir Uddin Ahmed of the English Department said to the business eye: "I’m aware of the assault incident. Since the university currently lacks a proctor, the matter will be resolved once the proctor is appointed, through the proper channels."