Infighting between two Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) factions at Jahangirnagar University has left at least 70 injured, including teachers, police, and journalists on Wednesday.
The clash was between the Chhatra League factions of Maulana Bhasani Hall and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall, which lasted for approximately two hours, from around 2pm to 4pm.
According to witnesses, around 2pm, Chhatra League activist Sourav Kapali, from the 45th batch of Maulana Bhasani Hall, bumped into Dip Biswas, a 46th batch student of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall – also a Chhatra League activist, at a local sweetmeat store.
The argument escalated into a full-blown skirmish after Sourav slapped Dip and his friend. Hearing the news, students from Bangabandhu Hall rushed to Dip's aid, sparking the conflict between them and Sourav's faction.
At least 10 shots were fired between the two factions, and machetes, rods, sticks, stumps and brickbats also came into play, as both of them vied for dominance on campus.
Despite proctorial teams and authorities from both halls trying to bring the situation under control, police had to fire rubber bullets and tear gas to bring the situation under control.
When he went to collect footage of the conflict, Dainik Sangbad Jahangirnagar correspondent, Jobayer Kamal, got injured in the conflict. Assistant Proctor Mohibur Rouf Shaibal and Bangabandhu Hall Warden Mehedi Iqbal were also injured.
The injured students are being treated at the university’s medical center. Around 35 of them have been transferred to Savar Enam Medical College Hospital.
Acting Proctor ASM Firoz Ul Hasan said: “The situation is now under control. The conflict was over something trivial. But we had to call the police in. We are concerned it may escalate again.”
Jewel Rana, president of the Jahangirnagar University unit of Chhatra League, said: “The clash was between students from two halls. If anyone from Chhatra League was involved, we will take disciplinary action against them, and ask the universities to act similarly.”