Two Held at BAU Campus Overnight

A young man and a woman found in an autorickshaw on the Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) campus late at night were detained by several university unit Chhatra Dal activists and handed over to the university's security division.

The activists reportedly became suspicious after noticing the man's incoherent speech and unusual behaviour. The young man, however, claimed that he was feeling dizzy after eating betel leaf. They were later released after identity checks, collection of relevant information and written undertakings.

The incident took place near the university's mango orchard area in the early hours of Tuesday, 3 November.

Atikul Islam, a convening committee member of the university unit Chhatra Dal, said they spotted a young man and a woman inside an autorickshaw in the mango orchard area late at night. When they asked about their identities and reasons for being there, they noticed that the young man's speech was incoherent and his behaviour appeared unusual. This raised suspicions that he might be under the influence of intoxicants. The young man, however, said he was feeling dizzy because he had eaten betel leaf.

Mehedi, another convening committee member of the university unit Chhatra Dal, said confusion arose over the identity of the woman accompanying the young man and some of the information they provided. At one point, the woman was introduced as someone's daughter, but another person concerned reportedly claimed that he had not seen her in the autorickshaw. This further raised questions about their identities and their reasons for being on campus late at night.

Chhatra Dal activists said they informed the university's security division because the presence and behaviour of unfamiliar individuals in an isolated part of the campus late at night appeared suspicious. The two were subsequently taken to the security division, where officials collected and checked their identity documents and other relevant information.

Professor Dr Mohammad Badiuzzaman Khan, director of the university's security division, said, “A young man and a woman came to the campus in an autorickshaw late at night. They identified themselves as husband and wife. Their identity documents were subsequently checked and necessary information was collected. Although the initial information suggested that they were married, this could not be fully confirmed.”

He added, “Written statements and undertakings were obtained from them. They were released after being warned that legal action could be taken in the event of similar incidents in the future.”

//DBTech/BAH/SME/SMP//