At least two rounds of clashes broke out between activists of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) and Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir at Jagannath University (JnU) on Tuesday, with both groups claiming that more than 50 of their activists and students were injured.
The first clash erupted on the university campus around noon, while the second broke out later outside Dhaka National Medical Institute Hospital, where police intervened to restore order.
Witnesses said the initial clash occurred during a programme marking the July Mass Uprising Day at the university's central auditorium, attended by University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman Prof Dr Mamun Ahmed as the chief guest.
According to witnesses, Shibir activists entered the venue carrying placards highlighting various student demands, prompting a heated exchange with Chhatra Dal activists that quickly escalated into a clash.
Following the violence, Chhatra Dal activists forced Shibir members off the campus and staged a protest rally.
Around 2:00pm, activists from different units of Chhatra Shibir gathered at Dhaka National Medical Institute Hospital to visit those injured in the earlier clash. At the same time, Chhatra Dal activists assembled outside the hospital's main gate, chanting slogans.
The rival groups again engaged in chases and counter-chases, forcing Shibir activists to take shelter inside the hospital. Witnesses said both sides hurled brickbats at each other, while several individuals were seen carrying locally made weapons.
Jagannath University Central Students' Union (JnUCSU) Vice-President Md Riazul Islam, who is backed by Chhatra Shibir, alleged that Shibir activists had attended the programme with placards to draw the UGC chairman's attention to student demands.
"However, the university administration, several teachers and Chhatra Dal activists prevented us from doing so. At one stage, Chhatra Dal activists attacked us, snatched our placards and assaulted our members, leaving around 50 students injured," he claimed.
Denying the allegation, Chhatra Dal Member Secretary Shamsul Arefin accused Shibir of attempting to divert attention from the alleged failures of the JnUCSU leadership and the activities of Jamaat-Shibir.
"They tried to create mob violence at Jagannath University, similar to what happened at Begum Rokeya University. Since August 5, they have repeatedly promoted mob culture," he alleged.
Jagannath University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Md Rais Uddin said a programme marking the July Mass Uprising Day was underway at the auditorium when "a group attempted to create disorder outside."
"We suspect that forces opposed to the July movement may have been involved. We will also investigate whether the Chhatra League had any role in the incident," he said.
As of filing this report, Chhatra Dal activists were continuing demonstrations and chanting slogans on the university campus and outside Dhaka National Medical Institute Hospital, while Chhatra Shibir activists remained inside the hospital.