One held in attack on Cucsu cafeteria secretary

Police have detained one person in connection with the attack on Masum Billah, library and cafeteria secretary of the Chittagong University Central Students’ Union (Cucsu).

The arrest was confirmed this afternoon by Officer-in-Charge of Hathazari Police Station, Zahidur Rahman.

Jalal Uddin Munna, a local resident of Hathazari, was detained from an area adjacent to Hathazari Madrasa, the OC said.

Cucsu Communication and Accommodation Secretary Ishaq Bhuiyan said, “We named Ariful Islam as the prime accused in the case. However, Munna, who has now been arrested, actually led the attack. Police detained him using various strategies, and during interrogation, he confessed to his involvement.”

OC Zahidur said Munna has been accused of leading the attack and was arrested on that basis. “He is one of the main accused in the case. Legal action will be taken against him,” he added.

The attack on Masum took place around 8:30pm on Monday near a fuel station close to Hathazari bus stand. He was assaulted with blades and razors by attackers and was later taken to Chattogram Medical College Hospital with serious injuries. Cucsu leaders have filed a case against eight individuals in connection with the incident.

According to students and Cucsu leaders, the attack may have stemmed from a previous incident on March 4, when an outsider, Ariful Islam, allegedly injured Anthropology student Moniruzzaman Raj by recklessly riding a motorcycle. Masum Billah had taken part in a settlement on behalf of the students, under which the accused’s family agreed to bear medical expenses and provided a written undertaking.

Earlier, Cucsu leaders and general students had formed a human chain on campus, demanding the immediate arrest of those involved in the attack and calling for the campus to be made free of outsiders. Cucsu leaders had given a 24-hour ultimatum to the administration to take action.