Key Highlights
- CU clash, controversy over the health of Mamun Mia, a student seriously injured.
- Criticism over pictures and videos of Mamun being walked on social media.
- Family alleges that his skull has not healed yet, he cannot recognize anyone, yet he was made to walk.
- The Vice Chancellor of Rangamati University of Science and Technology shared the pictures and videos and wrote that Mamun is walking.
- Classmates allege that they are trying to force him to appear healthy.
- Imtiaz Ahmed, a student injured in the same incident, is still on life support.
- The university administration has said that they will bear the medical expenses of the injured.
- More than a hundred students and local residents were injured in the clash.
Criticism over attempts to portray seriously injured Mamun as ‘healthy’
The family and classmates of Mamun Mia, a sociology student who was seriously injured in a clash at Chittagong University, have been outraged over allegations that he was being portrayed as healthy. Mamun’s elder brother Masud Rana said in a tearful voice,
‘আমার ভাইটার মাথার খুলি এখনো জোড়া লাগানো হয়নি। তাকে বলা হচ্ছে সুস্থ। আমি কিছুক্ষণের জন্য রুমে ছিলাম না। পরে মামুনের বন্ধুরা আমাকে জানায়, তাকে হাঁটানো হয়েছে। ফটোসেশন-ভিডিও করা হয়েছে। বলা হচ্ছে, সে সুস্থ। অথচ সে কাউকে চিনতে পারছে না। এ অবস্থায় তাকে কীভাবে হাঁটানো হলো? আমি খুব কষ্ট পেয়েছি, মনটা ভেঙে গেছে।’
Translation: “My brother’s skull hasn’t been reattached yet. He is being told he is healthy. I wasn’t in the room for a while. Later, Mamun’s friends told me that he was walked. A photo session and video were taken. They are saying that he is healthy. But he doesn’t recognize anyone. How could he be walked in this condition? I am very hurt, my heart is broken.”
Criticism on social media
A photo and video went viral on social media on Saturday night, showing Mamun walking down the hospital corridor leaning on another person’s shoulder. The scene sparked a storm of criticism as soon as it went viral. Relatives and classmates complained that Mamun was being forced to appear healthy.
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Family’s frustration and anger
Mamun’s brother and doctors said that Mamun’s skull is still kept in the refrigerator. His physical condition has improved somewhat. Although he speaks, he does not recognize anyone. Mamun’s brother Masud Rana said,
‘সে শুধু বলে, ভাল্লাগে না, মইরা যাব। আমি আসার পর সে আমার সঙ্গে ইশারায় কথা বলার চেষ্টা করে।’
Translation: “He just says, ‘I don’t like it, I will die.’ After I come, he tries to talk to me using gestures.”
VC’s demands and classmates’ complaints
Rangamati University of Science and Technology Vice Chancellor Atiyar Rahman shared the picture on Facebook and wrote,
‘কিছুক্ষণ আগে পার্কভিউ হাসপাতালে এলাম, আহতদের দেখতে। আলহামদুলিল্লাহ, মামুন হাঁটছে, ছোট ছোট করে কথা বলছে। অপারেশনে অংশ নেওয়া নিউরোসার্জন তাঁকে হাঁটালেন। কিছুটা হলেও স্বস্তি বোধ করলাম।’
Translation: “I came to Parkview Hospital a while ago to see the injured. Alhamdulillah, Mamun is walking, talking in small groups. The neurosurgeon who participated in the operation walked him. I felt a little relieved.”
Another injured student, Imtiaz, is still on life support
Imtiaz Ahmed, a student of the Department of International Relations who was seriously injured in the same clash, is still on life support. Six days later, his life support was experimentally opened on Saturday afternoon, but he has not fully regained consciousness. The family claims that he is receiving good treatment here and can be taken elsewhere if he recovers.
University administration’s position
Students allege that attempts are being made to force the injured to appear healthy and that no better treatment has been provided. However, the university administration has said that they will bear the medical expenses and will also provide better treatment if necessary.
Background to the clash
From the night of August 30 to the afternoon of August 31, students and locals clashed several times in the Gate No. 2 area of the university. The clash started after a complaint of beating a student. At least 200 students, including the Vice-Chancellor, Proctor, and 10-12 locals were injured.
Source: Prothom Alo
