5 hurt in clash between JU students, locals

At least five persons were injured, including students of Jahangirnagar University in Savar on the outskirts of Dhaka, in a clash between locals and students today.

The clash was still going on till last reported around 9:50pm.

The incident took place this evening when residents of the areas adjacent to the university, armed with locally made weapons, gathered after being called over loud speakers of the area's mosques.

They then locked in a clash with the students, leaving at least five persons injured, while several vehicles including motorcycles and some shops in the area were vandalised, said Kamruzzaman, officer-in-charge of Ashulia Police Station.

ASM Firoz Ul Hasan, acting proctor of JU, said the clash ensued between locals and students over playing cricket.

Filing of a case in this connection is underway, the OC said.

"Several students have sustained injuries while many others are being held hostage at the students' messes near the campus," the proctor said.

However, locals had a different version, bringing allegations of extortion and holding a person hostage over this against activists of Bangladesh Chhatra League unit at JU, including its organising secretary Abhishek Mondol, and others -- Alex, Piyash, and Rony.  

"One local was held hostage by BCL activists at JU demanding money for the person's release, which outraged the residents of the area and led to the clash," said Nazrul Islam, a resident of the area. 

Local residents are preparing to lodge a case over vandalism of shops during the clash, he said.

More to follow…