Now Tolaram College heats up, 5 injured in Chhatra Dal-Shibir clash
Photo: Agamir Somoy
A chase, counter-chase, and clash broke out between Chhatra Dal (BNP's student wing) and Chhatra Shibir (Jamaat-e-Islami's student wing) at Government Tolaram College in Chashara, Narayanganj. Five people from both sides were injured. The incident took place on Wednesday afternoon on the Tolaram College campus during an event organized to mark July Uprising Day.
Eyewitnesses said that during the event, arguments erupted between the two groups over the speeches delivered by Chhatra Shibir leaders and activists. At one point, both sides clashed using rods, iron pipes, sticks, and bamboo. Brickbats were also thrown.
Hasanuzzaman, Additional Assistant Superintendent of Police of the Detective Branch (DB) of the district, said, "A clash broke out between Chhatra Dal and Chhatra Shibir at the Tolaram College campus centering on a speech delivered at an event. Four to five people were injured. However, their injuries are not serious. A large contingent of Fatulla Thana police and DB police to the spot and brought the situation under control. Both sides were removed from the area."
No one has been detained or arrested so far in connection with the incident. The police official said that legal action will be taken after reviewing the CCTV footage of the incident.
Shibir activists alleged that Chhatra Dal leaders delivered speeches at the college's July Uprising event first, and then their own leaders were attacked when they were about to speak.
Amit Hasan, President of Narayanganj Metropolitan Shibir, said, "Our leaders were beaten up inside the college. Chhatra Dal has orchestrated this incident amid the political tensions of the last few days. When we went there, they hit several of our people with sticks. I have also been injured on the head."
Monir Hossain Zia, President of Tolaram College Chhatra Dal, said, "A meeting was going on at Tolaram College. They (Shibir) gave disorderly speeches there. We told them that this campus has lived in coexistence and will continue to do so—no disorder will be tolerated. Because of this, they beat our boys, Tuhin Ahmed and Robin."
He said that Tuhin Ahmed, a student of the Bangla department, and Md. Robin have been injured and are undergoing treatment at Narayanganj General Hospital.
On the other hand, the college's Shibir president Emdadul Haque Shuvo, general secretary Tamim Iqbal, and finance secretary Zulhaj have been injured and are undergoing treatment at Narayanganj 300-bedded hospital, according to the organization's metropolitan unit president Amit.
Tensions and clashes have been taking place among student organizations at several public universities across the country since Sunday, centering on various programs related to the July Uprising. The aftermath was also seen today at Barishal University, where reports have emerged of 10 people from both sides being injured in a Chhatra Dal-Shibir clash there.
