A clash broke out between Chhatra Dal and Chhatra Shibir at Dhaka Polytechnic Institute early Tuesday, leaving several people injured.
The incident occurred around 1amm, according to witnesses.
Eyewitnesses said an altercation began between leaders and activists of the two student organizations over establishing dominance on the campus. The verbal dispute later escalated into a clash.
Chases and counter-chases and scuffles took place between the two sides during the violence. Several injured individuals were taken to hospitals. Tension spread across the campus immediately after the incident, and police were deployed to bring the situation under control.
Counter-allegations
In a Facebook post, central president of Chhatra Dal, Rakibul Islam Rakib, alleged that Shibir activists entered dormitory rooms at Dhaka Polytechnic Institute with locally made weapons and attacked Chhatra Dal members and general students.
He claimed that after entering a room, they hacked a Chhatra Dal activist with a machete, seriously injuring him, and that many others were also hurt.
Rakib said Shibir activists would be resisted at Dhaka Polytechnic Institute with the support of general students, and demanded the arrest and trial of those responsible.
“If Chhatra Dal’s blood is shed, blood will be taken in return,” he wrote, adding that for the past fifteen and a half years Chhatra Dal activists had shed blood, and for the past one and a half years the organization had fallen victim to mob attacks on campuses.
“Even today, Chhatra Dal’s blood was shed at the Polytechnic Institute, yet hypocrites shifted the blame onto Chhatra Dal on social media. Enough concessions have been given. No more concessions will be given,” he added.
In a separate Facebook post, international affairs secretary of the central committee of Chhatra Shibir and Ducsu Vice President Shadiq Kayem alleged that Chhatra Dal carried out a “barbaric attack” on Shibir activists by entering dormitories at night with machetes, rods and locally made weapons.
“On one hand, public life is disrupted by murder, rape and extortion; on the other hand, attacks and occupation are being carried out on campuses in the style of Chhatra League. And the administration, as always, is engaged in its old sycophantic role,” he wrote.
The DUCSU VP also warned the government to “immediately control your party cadre force,” saying that otherwise it would have to “pay a heavy price for disrupting coexistence on campuses again and establishing occupation and violence.”