BCL factional clashes leave 10 injured at JnU

Consecutive clashes between two factions of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) Jagannath University (JnU) unit left at least ten of their activists injured on the campus yesterday.

Among the injured, Aahsanul Karim Mohammad Parvez, Sazzad Ahsan, Nure Alam and Shahriar Shakil sustained severe head injuries.

All the injured were admitted to nearby medical facilities including Dhaka Medical College Hospital and Mitford Hospital.

Witnesses said posts on Facebook and establishing supremacy were reasons behind the clashes that started around 8:00am when a group of activists led by Salman F Rahman, a follower of JnU BCL unit General Secretary Joynul Abedin Rasel, swooped on the followers of Shahriar Shakil.

Chase and counter-chase between the two groups continued on the campus till 12:30pm.  

Speaking with The Daily Star, JnU BCL President Tarikul Islam, however, said, “No internal conflicts exist in JnU Chhatra League. Those who were involved in the incident have no relation with Chhatra League.”

JnU BCL General Secretary Rasel also echoed Tarikul's remark.

Golam Rabbani, general secretary of BCL central committee, last night said, “Steps will be taken after investigation. We will suspend those who are found guilty.”

The incumbent committee at JnU might be suspended if the leadership is proven to have failed to stop yesterday's incident, he also said.

Contacted, JnU Vice Chancellor Prof Mijanur Rahman said, “If the authorities get any written complaint from a student or a teacher, steps will be taken after investigation.”