20 injured in BCL infighting

At least 20 people were injured in a clash between two factions of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) on Islamic University (IU) premises on Sunday night.

Of the injured, seven were admitted to Kushtia General Hospital while six others undergoing treatment at IU medical centre, police said.

Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Islamic University Police Station Zahurul Alam said the clash took place between followers of BCL General Secretary, IU unit, Rakibul Islam and its member Tanmoy Saha at Zia More in front of Saddam Hossain Hall.

A group of BCL men, led by Rakibul, went to Saddam Hossain Hall around 10:30pm in search of the students, who are not residential but staying there, he said.

They beat up Mosharraf Hossain Neel, a resident of room no 235, also a supporter of Tanmoy, and several students of other adjacent rooms.

Hearing the news, Tanmoy’s supporters gathered at Zia More and locked into a clash with the followers of Rakibul, the OC added.

Police said both the groups used bamboo sticks, iron rods and brickbats during the half an hour clash that left 20 activists from both sides injured.

Several crude bombs were blasted during the clash.

A team of police and IU proctor’s body rushed to the spot and calmed the situation down.