Campus clashes eclipse5 August observances

A third consecutive day of campus violence overshadowed programmes marking the anniversary of the July uprising on Wednesday, as fresh clashes between rival student organisations at universities in Narayanganj and Barishal, coupled with another attack linked to Jagannath University, left at least 19 people injured amid an escalating power struggle for influence on campuses.

The latest incidents followed Tuesday's violence at Jagannath University, Dhaka College and Government Madrasah-e-Alia, as well as clashes between the two organisations at Begum Rokeya University in Rangpur on Monday night.

At Government Tolaram College in Narayanganj, at least five people were injured after JCD and Shibir activists clashed during a programme marking July Uprising Day around noon.

The violence later spread to College Road in the Chashara area after activists from both groups exchanged provocative remarks.

Witnesses said participants were carrying sticks, bamboo poles and iron rods before police intervened and dispersed the rival groups after about 90 minutes.

Narayanganj Additional Superintendent of Police (Detective Branch) Md Hasinuzzaman said none of the injured had sustained serious injuries and all were receiving treatment  at the 300-bed Narayanganj Hospital. 

He added that legal action would be taken after an investigation and a review of CCTV footage.

Both organisations blamed each other for triggering the violence.

Narayanganj city Chhatra Shibir president Amit Hasan alleged that Chhatra Dal activists assaulted Shibir leaders inside the college before attacking them with sticks, leaving three activists injured, including himself.

However, Tolaram College Chhatra Dal president Monir Hossain Zia rejected the allegation, claiming Shibir activists launched the attack after making offensive remarks during the programme. He said two JCD activists were injured.

At Barishal University, at least 10 people were injured in two rounds of clashes after Chhatra Dal activists stopped a Shibir procession titled “Odommo July”, alleging that outsiders had joined the rally.

An initial argument escalated into violence. Although university authorities briefly restored calm, clashes resumed shortly afterwards.

University Proctor Mehedi Hasan Shohag described the incident as a "misunderstanding", saying activists from both groups attacked each other and that several university officials were also injured while trying to intervene. All 10 injured were admitted to Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital.

Barishal University unit Chhatra Dal president Mosharraf Hossain alleged that Shibir attacked their activists after ignoring requests not to include outsiders in the procession.

Shibir general secretary Zakaria Islam Babu, however, claimed Chhatra Dal attacked their peaceful procession near the vice-chancellor's office, injuring at least five members.

Barishal Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Belal Hossain said 30 additional police personnel had been deployed on campus and both sides had been urged to remain calm.

Meanwhile, four people, including Jagannath University Central Students' Union Health and Environment Secretary Nur Mohammad, were injured in an alleged attack near Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital, marking the second consecutive day of violence involving JnU students.

Addressing a Chhatra Shibir rally, the organisation's central president Nurul Islam Saddam accused Chhatra Dal of attempting to regain control of residential halls and revive the culture of "mass rooms" and "guest rooms" on campuses.

"If they do not stop, Chhatra Shibir will build resistance. Then Chhatra Dal will not be able to stand on any campus for even 10 minutes," he said.

JCD General Secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir rejected the allegation, telling the Daily Sun that his organisation supports students' democratic rights and peaceful coexistence. 

He said students would resist any attempt to establish dominance on campuses through violence, intimidation or provocation.

JUCSU Vice-President Riazul Islam also accused Chhatra Dal, with support from the Jagannath University administration, of attacking students over the proposed Tk10,000 crore second campus project. 

Speaking at a protest rally organised by Chhatra Shibir at the University of Dhaka, he alleged the attack was intended to influence the project's tender process and warned against the return of tender-based and violent student politics.

Crime analyst and University of Dhaka Associate Professor Dr Tawohidul Haque said the unrest reflected growing competition among rival student organisations to assert their political presence around the anniversary of the July uprising.

"General students had hoped for a peaceful academic environment after the mass uprising. But when competition among student organisations over such occasions turns violent, it harms both the spirit of the day and the campus environment," he said.