At least 35 people were injured in a fierce clash between two groups of Bangladesh Chhatra League at Dhaka University early yesterday.
It all started with a trivial matter when Kabi Jasimuddin Hall Chhatra League unit’s Organising Secretary Rana Hamid got into an altercation with Imran, a fourth-year student of English and a supporter of Muktijoddha Ziaur Rahman Hall unit President Abdus Salam Pradhan Shaon, when the latter went to Jasimuddin Hall to have some food around 1:30am.
Imran urinated on the hall’s wall while leaving after taking food but was intercepted by Rana who demanded an explanation for the act, setting off the altercation. Rana along with some of his associates later beat Imran.
The clash broke out when Imran phoned his friends and Chhatra League leaders of Ziaur Rahman Hall to come over.
Both the groups used sticks and bricks, and chased each other during the one-and-a-half-hour clash.
Police and Dhaka University Proctor Amzad Ali arrived on the scene and brought the situation under control. They were accompanied by the Chhatra League president and general secretary of the university unit.
The proctor said the injured were given first aid but none received serious injuries.
He also said action would be taken against the accused after investigation.
Chhatra League’s university unit General Secretary Omar Sharif told the Dhaka Tribune that the clash mostly involved junior students which erupted over a simple matter.
“We talked to them and calm returned soon,” he added.
Of the injured, five Chhatra League leaders, including Shaon, were taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital.
“I came to the hall entrance after hearing a noise which is when a brick struck me,” said Shaon.
He said the situation could not be controlled easily as both Chhatra League activists and general students got into the clash.
A three-member committee headed by Kazi Mahfuzul Haque Shopon, house tutor of Muktijoddha Ziaur Rahman Hall and a teacher of law, was formed to investigate the incident.
The committee was asked to submit a report as early as possible.