Several injured as Chhatra Dal, Shibir clash at Ishurdi college in Pabna

An office of Chhatra Dal has been vandalised during the clash

Several people have been injured after a violent clash broke out between activists of the Jatiotabadi Chhatra Dal and Islami Chhatra Shibir at Pabna’s Ishurdi Government College.

The confrontation, fuelled by a struggle for dominance on campus, occurred around 11:30am, according to Ishurdi Police chief Asadur Rahman.

Witnesses reported that tensions had been simmering since the morning.

The situation escalated into a full-blown clash when a Shibir procession reached the college gates.

Crude bombs blasts during the skirmish sent students and residents into panic, as nearby shops were forced to shut down.

Reports also surfaced regarding the vandalism of a temporary JCD office during the chaos.

Both student organisations have traded accusations over who instigated the violence.

"We had prior permission from the college authorities and police for a scheduled protest. As soon as our procession reached the gate, Chhatra Dal activists launched an unprovoked attack by pelting us with stones," said Sajib Hasan, president of Ishurdi Upazila Shibir.

Imran Hossain Khan, vice-president of Ishurdi Government College Chhatra Dal, said they were peacefully positioned on campus when over a hundred Shibir activists, accompanied by outsiders, suddenly stormed in with crude bomb explosions, attacked their members, and trashed their temporary office.

Officer Asadur said while the situation has returned to normal and the activists have cleared the area, no formal complaints have been lodged yet.

"We will take legal action once a written complaint is received," he said.