Chhatra Dal-Shibir clashes spread to Barishal, N'ganj; at least 18 injured
Fresh violence at Barishal University and Government Tolaram College comes a day after more than 80 people were injured in clashes across three campuses in Dhaka.
At least 18 people were injured in separate clashes between activists of Bangladesh Jatiotabadi Chhatra Dal and Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir at Barishal University and Government Tolaram College in Narayanganj today (5 August), as tensions between the two student organisations continued to spread to campuses outside the capital.
The latest clashes came a day after at least 80 people were injured in separate confrontations between Bangladesh Jatiotabadi Chhatra Dal and Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir activists at Jagannath University, Dhaka College and Government Madrasah-e-Alia in the capital over campus programmes, hall accommodation and student politics.
The violence has extended a wave of campus unrest that began at Dhaka University's Dr Muhammad Shahidullah Hall on Sunday (2 August) and spread to Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur on Monday (3 August).
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With today's incidents in Barishal and Narayanganj, the number of people injured in clashes between the two student organisations has risen to well over 100 across seven university and college campuses in the past four days.
Barishal University clash
At least 10 people were injured in a clash between Chhatra Dal and Chhatra Shibir activists at Barishal University in the morning.
According to witnesses and campus sources, the violence erupted after the university unit of Chhatra Shibir brought out a procession titled "Indomitable July" marking the anniversary of the July Uprising.
An argument broke out after Chhatra Dal activists objected to the alleged presence of outsiders in the procession. The dispute later escalated into a clash, followed by several rounds of chase and counter-chase.
Ashiq Ahmed, senior vice-president of the university unit of Chhatra Dal, alleged that Chhatra Shibir entered the campus with outsiders carrying sticks and flags.
He claimed Shibir activists attacked Chhatra Dal members after they requested that the programme be conducted without outsiders, leaving five to six Chhatra Dal activists injured.
Rejecting the allegation, university unit Chhatra Shibir General Secretary Zakaria Islam Babu said the organisation had been holding a peaceful programme when Chhatra Dal activists attacked them near the vice-chancellor's gate.
He claimed around five Shibir activists were injured and alleged that the attack took place in the presence of university authorities. He also said a written complaint had been submitted to the vice-chancellor seeking action.
The university proctor could not be reached for comment.
Additional Deputy Commissioner of Barishal Metropolitan Police Belal Hossain said police rushed to the campus after receiving reports of the clash.
"Additional police have been deployed on the campus. We have urged both sides to remain calm," he said.
Clash at Tolaram College
In a separate incident, at least eight people were injured in a clash between Chhatra Dal and Chhatra Shibir activists at Government Tolaram College in Narayanganj's Chashara in the afternoon.
According to police and witnesses, the clash broke out after Chhatra Shibir activists were allegedly prevented from delivering a speech at a programme marking the July Uprising.
The argument quickly escalated into violence, with activists from both organisations using iron rods, sticks and brickbats.
Police rushed to the scene and brought the situation under control.
Additional Superintendent of Police (Detective Branch) Hasinuzzaman said legal action would be taken after reviewing CCTV footage.
Both organisations blamed each other for the violence.
Chhatra Shibir alleged that Chhatra Dal launched a sudden attack while its programme was underway, while Chhatra Dal claimed Shibir activists attacked its members without provocation after the programme had ended.
