25 hurt in Rajshahi University campus Islamic Chhatra Shibir-BCL clash,Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

At least 25 students were injured, three of them bullet-hit, in a fierce clash between the members of Islamic Chhatra Shibir (ICS) and Bangladesh Chhatra League at Rajshahi University (RU) campus on Tuesday.

The injured students -- BCL’s Nabiul Islam Lipon, and Shibir activists Zahangir Hossain, 2nd year student of Folklore department and Shariful Islam -- were admitted to Rajshahi Medical College and Hospital.

The clash ensued around 11:30am, as ICS activists threw brickbats on a BCL procession near Shahidullah Arts building of the university.

Following the incident the BCL men chased the ICS activists, reports our Rajshahi correspondent.

The feuding groups fired nearly 50 gunshots toward each other inside the campus and at the university’s main gate that wounded one BCL man and two of the ICS activists.

Some of the ICS activists — who took shelter inside the Central Library being chased by the BCL — were mercilessly beaten up by the chasing group.

Later, BCL men drove Shibir men out of the campus and put barricade on the Rajshahi-Dhaka highway for 30 minutes.

Around 12:30pm, BCL men entered into the campus again and damaged two university busses in front of the administration building.

Later, they ransacked the residence of the vice chancellor for allegedly helping the Shibir activists to establish supremacy in the campus.

Ahmad Ali, RU BCL unit president, claimed Shibir men attacked the BCL procession for establishing supremacy on the campus.

He also claimed three BCL activists -- Takim, Tuhin and Nipun sustained bullet injuries.

Ahmad blamed the RU authority for failing to ensure security in the campus.

Ashraful Alam Emon, RU Shibir unit president, however said BCL men attacked on Shibir activists without any provocation while they were taking preparations for bringing out a procession.

“We tried to resist their (BCL) attacks, but police assisted the BCL men”, he said.

RU Proctor Chowdhury Mohammad Jakaria said four assistant proctors were also injured in the incident.