A student was killed at Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur (BRUR), during a clash between police and protesters seeking quota system reform on Tuesday.
The deceased, identified as Abu Sayeed, 22, was a student of the 12th batch of the English department of the university.
The clash began around 2pm in Lalbagh, Rangpur city, and spread over a 4-kilometer area, including the BRUR campus.
Commissioner of Rangpur Metropolitan Police Md Moniruzzaman confirmed the incident.
The situation escalated when protesters set fire to the residence of Vice-Chancellor Professor Hasibur Rashid and a police vehicle.
Protesters, angered by the death, took control of the entire BRUR area, creating an atmosphere of extreme insecurity for residents, students, and employees. Many students fled to safer locations.
By 8 PM, protesters maintained control over the campus and surrounding areas. Supporters of the Chhatra League, who oppose the protesters’ demands, had fled the scene.
The clash injured over 100 people, including 10 journalists and several policemen.
Eyewitnesses reported that thousands of students began their anti-quota protest from Rangpur Zilla School around 11:30am.
Police attempts to halt the procession at Police Lines failed, and the protesters reached the city’s Jahaj Company area, where they blocked the main road.
As the protesters neared BRUR, members of the Chhatra League and Jubo League reportedly attacked them with bricks, leading to a violent chase and counter-chase.
Police attempted to control the situation by firing rubber bullets.
Mamun, a leader of the anti-quota movement, claimed that Abu Sayeed was killed by police gunfire.
His body was taken to the dead house of Rangpur Medical College Hospital under police guard.
Hospital sources confirmed that Sayeed died before arriving at the hospital, with bullet marks observed on his body.
Dr Tuhin Wadud, a BRUR teacher, visited the injured at the hospital, said: “None of us can avoid the responsibility of the death of one of our students.”
The hospital director, Dr Yunus Ali, confirmed the death and said the cause of death would be confirmed after a post-mortem.
Rangpur Deputy Commissioner Mobasher Hasan announced the deployment of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) to restore order, with patrolling beginning by 7pm.
Journalists covering the clash were also injured.
Somoy TV cameraperson Tariqul Islam was seriously injured, and his camera was broken.
Other injured journalists included Redwan Himel from Somoy TV and camerapersons from Bangla Vision and Masranga Television.
Police efforts to control the situation are ongoing, with a significant deployment around BRUR.