Rajshahi: A video showing a ninth-grade school student being waylaid, beaten, and intimidated in the Rajpara Police Station area of the city went viral on social media yesterday. Immediately after the video’s circulation, Commissioner of Rajshahi Metropolitan Police (RMP), Faizul Kabir, instructed Rajpara Police to take legal action against the involved teen gang.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the incident stemmed from an altercation a few days ago between Rafid Hossain Rafi, a ninth-grade student of Court Academy, and another boy over a football game. On Tuesday, Rafid, 13, was returning home from school when several teenagers blocked his path near the Food Office in Rajpara Police Station due to the previous enmity. The group displayed dominance by assaulting Rafid indiscriminately, resulting in abrasions and swelling injuries.
The assault caused chaos and panic among other students present at the scene. A local resident, Abdur Rashid, 35, intervened to rescue the victim. The attackers reportedly threatened Rafid with further harm if he reported the incident. Following the attack, Rafid’s father filed a formal complaint at Rajpara Police Station, leading to a case against Johurul Islam, 19, Sohag Hossain, 19, Abir, 18, and Anik, 19.
RMP Deputy Commissioner (CTTC) Gaziur Rahman confirmed that the prime accused, Johurul Islam and Sohag Hossain, were arrested today from their homes. Police operations are ongoing to apprehend the remaining individuals involved in the assault.