10 injured as Chhatra Dal, Shibir clash at BRUR

At least 10 people were injured in hours-long clashes between activists of Bangladesh Jatiotabadi Chhatra Dal and Bangladesh Islami Chhatrashibir at Begum Rokeya University in Rangpur on Monday night, leaving the campus tense.

The violence broke out over a banner displayed at a Chhatrashibir-organised exhibition featuring photographs of several people convicted of war crimes during the 1971 Liberation War.

The clash began around 7:30pm and continued for nearly three hours, with activists from both organisations chasing one another, hurling bricks and chairs, and attacking each other with sticks.

After the violence subsided, members of the two groups remained in separate positions on the campus until around 12:20am. Chhatrashibir activists gathered near the university's main gate, while Chhatra Dal activists stayed near the mosque at Park Mor on the Rangpur-Lalmonirhat-Kurigram highway.

Police later deployed additional personnel to restore order.

Those injured included former university Chhatrashibir president Sohel Rana, current secretary Imran Khan Saurav, activists Mehdi Hasan, Baizid Shikdar and Mursalin, and Chhatra Dal leader Ashik. All received primary treatment before returning home.

The campus remained calm on Tuesday morning, although tensions persisted.

According to witnesses and university sources, the Chhatrashibir unit organised a day-long exhibition titled "July Against Oppression" on Monday. The exhibition featured photographs of several political figures, with some described as victims of "judicial killing".

Chhatra Dal activists objected to a banner portraying BNP leader Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury, who was convicted of war crimes, as a victim of judicial killing and demanded its removal.

The disagreement quickly escalated into violence.

Shibli Sadik, office secretary of the university's Chhatrashibir unit, alleged that Chhatra Dal activists pressured them to remove the banner.

"We wanted to leave the matter to the university administration. But Chhatra Dal activists attacked us," he claimed.

He alleged that after the proctor arrived and the situation had calmed, Chhatra Dal activists launched another attack using sticks and bricks, prompting Chhatrashibir members to resist.

University Chhatra Dal president Md Yamin alleged that the exhibition displayed photographs of Jamaat leaders, including Golam Azam, Abdul Quader Mollah and Motiur Rahman Nizami, alongside a photograph of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia.

"We asked them to remove those photographs. They responded by throwing chairs, and one of our activists was injured," he said.

University Proctor Dr Ferdous Rahman said those involved would be identified by reviewing video footage.

"A probe committee will be formed and necessary action will be taken quickly," he said.

Officer-in-Charge of Tajhat Police Station Rafikul Islam said police reached the campus shortly after receiving information about the clash.

"There was a physical altercation between Chhatra Dal and Chhatrashibir. No written complaint has been filed so far. The situation is now under control," he said.

Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Md Showkat Ali said the university would examine video footage and take disciplinary action against those responsible.

He also alleged that the banned Bangladesh Chhatra League could be attempting to create instability on the campus and urged all concerned to remain vigilant.

Additional police have been deployed across the campus to maintain law and order.