A leader of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, the student wing of the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party, allegedly assaulted a shopkeeper and his employee at Rajshahi University campus on Sunday night following a dispute over service charges.

The accused, Abdullah Al Kafi, is a joint general secretary of the university unit Chhatra Dal and a student of the 2019–20 session of the physics department.

Witnesses said that Kafi went to Himel Computer Stationery at the university’s transport market at about 8:30pm to process a general diary application and an admission-related document.

After the work was completed, the shopkeeper demanded Tk 280, but Kafi offered Tk 200, which led to an altercation.

At one stage, the shopkeeper shut down the computer and asked him to leave, further escalating tensions.

Shop owner Himel alleged that Kafi threatened him and later returned with several associates.

‘He repeatedly said he would shut down my shop and showed his influence. When I challenged him, they started beating me,’ he said.

He alleged that the attackers used chairs, tables and stools during the assault.

Himel also claimed that both he and his employee were beaten and that the shop shutter was forcibly pulled down during the incident.

However, Kafi denied the allegations, claiming that the dispute arose over what he described as an excessive charge.

‘The shopkeeper threw away my documents, and his employee used abusive language, which led to a scuffle between both sides,’ he said.

University proctor professor Mahbubur Rahman said that a proctorial team rushed to the spot after being informed.

‘Both parties expressed regret over the incident, and no formal complaint has been filed so far,’ he said, adding that authorities would take action if any complaint is lodged following verification.