Chattogram, Dec 05 (V7N) – A student of the University of Chittagong (CU) was allegedly assaulted on Tuesday afternoon following an argument over a seat on the university’s shuttle train. The incident occurred around 4:40 p.m. on the return trip, involving students from two departments under the Faculty of Business Administration.

The victim, Ramprasad Saha, a student of the 2019–20 session in the Finance Department, accused several students of beating him. Among them, he identified Riaz Shikdar from the Banking and Insurance Department, along with several others yet to be identified.

According to Ramprasad, the dispute began when a student attempted to sit on the third seat in front of him. As the compartment became crowded, Ramprasad refused to shift, prompting Riaz to verbally abuse him and call him an “outsider.” He alleged that Riaz and several others then dragged him to the floor and assaulted him. “They hurled insults, pushed me to the ground, and punched and kicked me repeatedly. I have an ear injury, yet they struck that area as well. When I tried to record the incident, they snatched my phone,” he said.

Eyewitness Samuel Gonsalves confirmed the sequence of events, saying the argument began when Ramprasad insisted that three people could not sit on the seat. “Riaz started calling him an outsider and then began hitting him. Several others joined in, forced him off the train to ask his department and session, and then brought him back into the compartment and beat him again,” he recounted.

Riaz Shikdar, however, denied the allegations and claimed that Ramprasad acted aggressively first. He stated that when he requested Ramprasad to adjust and make space, the latter became angry. “He shouted, ‘My session is 19–20, who are you?’ When he stood up, he punched me in the chest. Another student beside me was also hit. After that, others in the compartment took him outside. I don’t know what happened after that,” Riaz said.

University Proctor Professor Dr. Hossain Shahid Sarwardi said the administration intervened immediately after receiving information. “An assistant proctor reached the spot and resolved the dispute. If the victim submits a written complaint, the university will take appropriate action,” he added.

The incident has sparked renewed discussions among CU students regarding seat management and safety on the shuttle train, a long-standing issue on the campus.

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