2 JnU Chhatra Dal leaders served show-cause notices over concert clash

At least three students were injured in a clash between two factions of the Jagannath University (JnU) unit of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) during a fresher reception concert at the university on Wednesday night.

Following the incident, the JCD central committee on Thursday issued show-cause notices to two joint conveners of the JnU unit -- Sumon Sardar and Mustafizur Rahman Rumi -- for allegedly violating organisational discipline.

According to sources and eyewitnesses, the JCD organised a fresher reception programme for newly admitted students on Wednesday, with a concert arranged in the evening as part of the event.

During the concert, an altercation broke out between activists of the Sumon Sardar and Mustafizur Rahman Rumi factions over seating on the stage. At one stage, the verbal altercation turned into pushing and physical assault, eventually leading to a clash that left three students injured.

The injured were Tanzil Ahmed Mithil, a student of the Department of Mathematics, and Shawon and Monir, students of the Department of Chemistry.

All three received primary treatment at Dhaka National Medical College Hospital, said Kamal Hossain, a physician at its emergency department.

Contacted, JnU Proctor Prof Dr Azam Khan said, “I came to know about the incident last night. So far, no one from either side has approached us or lodged any complaint. If anyone submits a complaint, we will take necessary action accordingly.”

The JCD central committee issued the show-cause notices on Thursday, signed by JCD Office Secretary Md Jahangir Alam.

The notices asked Sumon Sardar and Mustafizur Rahman Rumi to appear at the central office within 24 hours and submit written explanations as to why organisational disciplinary action should not be taken against them over allegations of violating organisational discipline.

Meanwhile, the JnU JCD apologised for the incident. In a statement, its Member Secretary Shamsul Arefin expressed regret, saying, “There is no scope for doing politics by denying the truth.”

He also assured that the organisation would act more responsibly in the future, saying, “We believe we succeeded in organising an excellent event, apart from a minor isolated incident.”