At least 11 students were injured during an attack on protesting students of Barisal University on Monday afternoon.
Nine of the injured were admitted to Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital in Barisal.
Sujoy Subho, representing the quota reform protesters, said that following a press conference held by quota reform activists on Saturday, a misleading report was published suggesting they had withdrawn their movement.
"I was under the administrative building of the university discussing our next programs on Monday noon," Sujoy Subho said. "Suddenly, a group of Chhatra League activists, led by AK Arafat, attacked us on the university campus. Many sustained injuries to their faces, heads, and other body parts. At least 11 were severely injured from the beatings."
Among the seriously injured were Mahamudul Hasan Sajib, Sujan Mahamud, Sharmila Jahan Sejuti, and Sirajul Islam.
Upon hearing about the attack, Abdur Rahman Mukur, officer-in-charge (OC) of Barisal Bandar police station, said that police rushed to the scene and controlled the situation. "Several were injured in clashes between the anti- and pro-quota movement students. The injured were sent to the medical centre and hospital," the OC added.
Attempts to reach AK Arafat for comment were unsuccessful as his mobile phone was unreachable. Barisal University Proctor Dr Qayyum Hossain also did not respond to phone calls.
In a related incident, quota reformist students of Government BM College staged a protest rally at Nathullabad Central Bus Terminal at noon on Monday. They were stopped by police and dispersed after holding a short rally.
The protesting students declared that their movement would continue as long as arrests, torture, disappearances, and murders persisted. "We stand on the streets to demand our rights. We are not vandals," said participant Imran Hossain.
Assistant Commissioner of Barisal Metropolitan Police Farooq Ahmed said: "We listened to the students' demands and sent them back. They left peacefully at our request."