Mahadhi Hasan, the joint secretary of the district branch of the anti-discrimination student movement in Habigonj, was attacked by a group of 5-6 youths in front of the district administrator's office around 1 PM on Thursday. He sustained injuries and sought treatment at the hospital.
Hasan accused certain leaders and activists of the district student organization of orchestrating the attack. However, the student organization denied any involvement, labeling the incident as a 'drama' staged by Hasan.
On January 2, while the interim government was in power, student leader Mahadhi Hasan threatened the OC of Shayestaganj police station, stating, 'We burned Baniyachung police station and set SI Santosh on fire.' This video went viral, bringing him into the spotlight.
On Wednesday afternoon, Mahadhi took a driving license test at the district BRTA office and was returning home on a motorbike when he claimed on Facebook Live that student organization activists chased him. He then sought refuge at Habigonj Sadar police station.
Eyewitnesses and district administrator's office sources reported that around 1 PM on Thursday, Mahadhi Hasan visited the district administrator's office with a few associates. He requested the collection of CCTV footage from the office's cameras. The district administrator responded that the incident occurred outside his office and promised to look into the matter. As Mahadhi and his associates were leaving the office, a group of 5-6 youths attacked him. Locals intervened to stop the attackers. The injured Mahadhi Hasan was then taken to Habigonj 250 Bed District Hospital.
Hospital resident medical officer Faiqa Rahman confirmed that Mahadhi Hasan received treatment at the hospital, showing signs of injury. He was admitted but left on his own accord.
Mahadhi Hasan alleged that 10-12 leaders and activists of the district student organization attacked him. He claimed that the same group had chased him the previous day in the same location. Mahadhi attributed the attack to a Facebook status he posted, criticizing former President Ziaur Rahman and praising former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. This status angered the student organization's leaders and activists.
When contacted about Mahadhi's allegations, district student organization president Rajib Ahmed told Prothom Alo, 'No leaders or activists of our organization attacked Mahadhi Hasan. He is spreading false propaganda. I heard that Mahadhi is preparing to go abroad. He staged these incidents to seek political asylum abroad. This is a drama he orchestrated.'
Habigonj Sadar police station's Officer-in-Charge (OC) Jahid Hossain told Prothom Alo that they visited the scene upon hearing about Mahadhi Hasan. They found evidence that 5-6 youths had beaten him with sticks, kicks, and punches. The police are investigating who carried out the attack. However, Mahadhi Hasan has not yet filed a complaint with the police station.
