A clash broke out at Ananda Mohan College in Mymensingh involving Anti-Discrimination Student Movement members and college students on Sunday over fees for renewing dormitory seats, leaving at least 20 injured.
The incident began shortly before evening and escalated until police intervened at around 7pm to bring the situation under control.
The injured include Mehedi Hasan Shimul, 20 and Al Amin, 18. The identities of others remain unknown.
A college student, speaking on condition of anonymity, said students had demanded a reduction in the annual renewal fee for dormitory seats from Tk7,000 to Tk5,500.
“Though the college authorities recently reduced the fee by Tk500, tensions persisted, leading to the clash. Anti-Discrimination Student Movement coordinator Ashiqur Rahman as well as some Chhatra Dal activists were present during the incident.”
Ananda Mohan College Principal Prof Md Aman Ullah confirmed that the unrest had stemmed from the renewal fee issue, adding that the situation was now under control and the police were working to maintain peace.
The college and dormitory would remain closed for three days, he added.
Meanwhile, Ashiqur Rahman, a coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, claimed: “Supporters of the banned Chhatra League attacked us without any provocation. At least 10 of our members were injured.”
He called on the authorities to arrest the attackers.
Kotwali model police station Officer-in-Charge Md Shafiqul Islam said: “Students aligned with the Chhatra League were present alongside general students in the dormitory.
“After they began creating tension at the college, the situation escalated with the arrival of Ashiqur Rahman Ashiq, one of the coordinators of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, along with others.”
Both groups had engaged in a chase and counter-chase, leading to a clash involving sticks, the OC said, adding that at least 20 individuals from both sides had been injured.
The injured were receiving treatment at various hospitals, the officer said.
Shafiqul said the situation was now calm. However, police had been deployed on campus out of concern that clashes might break out again, he added.
The incident would be investigated and those involved would be identified and brought to justice, the OC said.