An Islami Chhatra Shibir activist was killed and 25 others injured in a clash between Bangladesh Chhatra League and Shibir men at Chittagong University yesterday afternoon. Of the injured, two are in critical condition.
The deceased was identified as Mamun Hossain, a fourth-year student of Soil Science and the general secretary of the Shah Amanat Hall unit of Shibir.
Police and witnesses said the clash erupted around 1:45pm when Shibir men fired several gunshots from Amanat Hall as a BCL procession of was crossing the area.
Sources said BCL men entered the hall equipped with firearms and sharp weapons, locking in clash with Shibir men. At least 50 rounds of bullets were exchanged between the groups during the incident.
AFM Nizamuddin, an assistant superintendent of police of Hathazari Circle, told the Dhaka Tribune they had dispersed both the groups after firing 151 gunshots and arresting 18 Shibir men.
Campus sources said 25 to 26 persons from both the sides had sustained injuries during the clashes.
Jahirul Islam, a sub-inspector at the police outpost at the Chittagong Medical College Hospital, said five of the injured were rushed to the hospital. The on-duty doctors announced Mamun dead.
Shibir activists Rahat Hossain of the physics department, Amjad Hossain of the mathematic department, Shahshul Hoque Roki of the botany department and BCL activist Enamul Hoque of the history department are undergoing treatment at the hospital. Rahat and Roki’s conditions were critical according to CMCH sources.
Mostafizur Rahman, the general secretary of the CU unit of Shibir, alleged the BCL men had launched the attack in a “preplanned manner” with the assistance of law enforcers.
“One of our leaders was killed and 15 others injured in the attack,” he said.
Arifur Rahman, the organising secretary of the university unit of BCL, denied the allegations and said the Shibir men attacked a BCL procession and injured 10 of their leaders and activists.
Around 8:15pm, Pro-Vice Chancellor Iftekher Uddin said the university authorities were holding an emergency meeting to determine a course of action.
ASP (north) Mohammed Shahidullah said a huge contingent of police and Rapid Action Battalion had been deployed at the campus to avert further untoward incidents.
The BCL procession had been brought out in protest of the attack on Jalal Ahmed, office secretary of the university unit of BCL, in Sylhet on Saturday night.
