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Class, exam in RU suspended as 200 students injured in clash with locals (Updated)

  • Sun Online Desk
  • 12th March, 2023 05:46:55 AM
  • Print news

Classes and examinations of Rajshahi University have been withheld due to violent confrontation between students and locals.

Sources said nearly 200 students were injured in the clash prompting the authorities to deploy 7 platoons of BGB.

All academic functions are initially set to be put on hold till Monday.

UNB adds: More than 200 Rajshahi University (RU) students were injured in a clash with locals over a bus seat on Saturday.

The incident took place at the university's Binodpur gate in the evening, said Professor Sultan-Ul-Islam, pro-vice-chancellor of the university.

The injured are now receiving treatment at Rajshahi University Medical Centre and Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH).

At least 10 campus journalists were also injured while covering the incident.

Witnesses said Akash, a student of the university, was coming to Rajshahi by bus from Bogura. He had an argument with the driver Shariful and his assistant Ripon over the bus seat.

When the bus reached the Binodpur area of the university, they again got into an argument. Later, a local shopkeeper came there and got into an argument with the students. This ultimately led to the clash.

During the clash, the students set several shops and the police box at Binodpur gate on fire.

After that, police rushed to the spot and fired rubber bullets and hurled tear gas. More than 20 students who were injured during this time were sent to RMCH at around 11pm.

In this regard, RU Proctor Professor Asabul Haque said: 'We are trying to control the situation. Law enforcement is also working right now."

Platoon 7 of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has been deployed in the Binodpur area.

Meanwhile, some agitating students went to the fine arts faculty area to blockade the Rajshahi-Dhaka rail line. Dhaka-bound Dhumketu Express did not leave Rajshahi station which was scheduled at 11.20pm.

Also, the university authority suspended all classes and exams for the next two days following the clash.