At least eight people were injured in a clash between two groups of employees at Barisal University on Tuesday over participating in a strike protesting the inclusion of public universities in the universal pension scheme.
This incident took place in an area adjacent to the administrative building of the university around 12 noon.
The clash occurred between the Barisal University Officers Association and the Barisal University Directly Recruited Officers Association.
Among the injured, four people were admitted at the hospital.
Eyewitness students and teachers said the clash started when a newly formed organization of officers named the Direct Officers Association wanted to join the program of the Officers Association protesting the inclusion of public universities in the universal pension scheme announced by the government.
First, an altercation took place between both groups. At one stage, they got involved in scuffles and clashes.
At this time, both groups attacked and counter-attacked with plastic chairs injuring at least eight people in both group.
According to a source of the officers of the university, earlier the supporters of former mayor Serniabat Sadiq Abdullah formed an officers' association in the university.
Pension Scheme: Public university teachers’ strike enters day 2Then Direct Officer's Association was formed under the influence of some teachers who were followers of the current mayor Abul Khair Abdullah and then conflict between the two groups started.
The university’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Mohammad Badruzzaman Bhuiyan could not be reached over the phone.
President of the Barisal University Teachers Association Baten Chowdhury said that this incident took place between those who were direct officers and those who became officers through promotion.
Several members of both associations were injured.
Barisal University Accounts Officer SM Iqbal claimed that they started the protest against the inclusion of public universities in the universal pension scheme in a peaceful manner. At one stage, they came under attack.
“Several of us were injured. Among them, Deputy Director Abul Hossain has been sent to the hospital,” he said.
Barisal University Officers Association President Bahauddin Golap said they have been agitating for a long time under the banner of the Officers Association. Suddenly, another group came in front of them with a banner in the name of the Direct Officers Association.
“Naturally our supporters got angry because we are the only recognized organization of officers in the university,” claimed Bahauddin Golap.
“We were first attacked with by them, and then the counter attack was made,” he added.
