Chhatra Dal, Student Movement activists clash at KUET, BGB deployed

At least 15 people have suffered injuries in the clash

At least 15 people have been injured in clashes between the supporters of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal and the Anti-discrimination Student Movement at the Khulna University of Engineering and Technology, or KUET, over the demand to stop student politics.

Five others have been detained over the incident.

Khanjahan Ali Police Station chief Md Kabir Hossain said the clash occurred outside the university's Central Mosque on Tuesday afternoon.

"Tension is currently prevailing on the campus. The joint forces are working to control the situation.

Meanwhile, two platoons of the Border Guard Bangladesh, or BGB, have been deployed on the campus to maintain order, the agency’s spokesperson Shariful Islam said.

Nazmul Hasan Razib, additional deputy commissioner of Khulna Metropolitan Police, said the army, navy, police, and RAB personnel took part in the operation to bring the situation under control.

Many students have suffered injuries, the number cannot be said at the moment, he added.

According to witnesses, the Chhatra Dal leaders and activists carried out a campaign on the campus in the morning. A group of students protested against the activity, demanding a politics-free campus.

A running battle broke out between the two sides when the protesting students reached outside the Central Mosque.

The protesters alleged despite the ban on student politics on the campus, several groups are trying to resume it. They were attacked when they protested. Their microphones were also taken away.

At that time, the situation turned violent when the BNP men from the Rail Gate and Teligati area joined the Chhatra Dal and the general students and Islami Chhatra Shibir adherents joined the Anti-discrimination Movement students.

The protesters demanded a complete ban on student politics in the university and its addition to the ordinance in the form of a notification, alongside punitive action against the teachers, officers, and employees who are patronising the political activities.

They also asked authorities to install CCTV cameras on the campus to ensure security.

In this regard, several KUET Chhatra Dal activists claimed the Chhatra Shibir faction in the Anti-discrimination Student Movement and a few individuals associated with the fallen Awami League’s student wing are trying to disrupt Chhatra Dal’s politics on and around the campus. This led to clashes on the campus.

The Khulna city and district units of the Student Movement announced a demonstration and rally at 8pm surrounding the incident.

On the other hand, Chhatra Dal’s Dhaka University wing called for a march on the campus at 8pm in protest.