RU students clash over alleged misrepresentation of academic batch

A clash broke out between students of two departments at University of Rajshahi over allegations involving taking photographs and falsely identifying an academic batch.

The incident took place on Tuesday afternoon at the Amtala area of the university’s Transport Market.

The departments involved were the Department of Applied Chemistry and Chemical Engineering and the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE).

Eyewitnesses said students of the 2023–24 academic session of the EEE department were sitting with their juniors in front of the Deans’ Complex on Monday when the university’s proctorial body conducted an anti-ragging drive in the area. Finding no irregularities, the officials left the spot.

At that time, a student named Al Jabed Hasan from the 2023–24 academic session of the Applied Chemistry and Chemical Engineering department was also present there.

Later, EEE students alleged that he had taken photographs of them and sent them to the university administration while falsely identifying himself as a student from the 2022–23 academic session.

The allegation initially created tension between the two groups, but the matter was temporarily resolved through the intervention of senior students.

However, on Tuesday, another altercation broke out between students of the two departments over the same issue. Tension later spread in the Transport Market area.

To bring the situation under control, RUCSU General Secretary Salahuddin Ammar and members of the university’s proctorial body rushed to the scene. Despite their presence, students from both sides became involved in a scuffle and clash.

Speaking about the incident, Salahuddin Ammar said tension had been continuing between the two departments since Monday due to a misunderstanding among students.

He added that no casualties were reported and the matter had been resolved for the time being.

University Proctor Mahbubur Rahman said no ragging incident had occurred on Monday. “A misunderstanding centred on a student created the situation, which later turned into a clash today,” he said.

He added that the matter had been handed over to the chairmen of the two departments, who would initially try to resolve the issue.