12 injured in BCL infighting at Barishal University

News Desk :
At least 12 students of Shere Bangla Hall of Barishal University were injured early Sunday in a clash between two factions of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) activists over establishing supremacy in the dormitory.

Barisal University VC Professor Dr Md Sadequl Arefin said three injured students are currently receiving treatment at Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital.

The BCL factions — “followers” of former Barishal City Corporation mayor Serniabat Sadik Abdullah and “supporters” of State Minister for Water Resources Zaheed Farooque — are feuding for years.

There is no committee of BCL committee at the university, they added.

The students said the followers of the former BCC mayor couldn’t stay at the hall for a long time as the state minister’s followers allegedly have a strong hold over the dormitory.

They said the clash took place after the ex-mayor’s followers tried to capture the Shere Bangla Hall on Saturday night.

Witnesses said a group of 30-55 people, wearing masks and helmets, entered Shere Bangla Hall around 11:00pm on Saturday and started to search for their opponents on the fourth and fifth floors of the hall.

The attackers hit the rival group with sticks and iron rods injuring at least 12 students.

As the news spread, other supporters of the “state minister group” gathered nearby the hall on the campus and later clashed with the attackers. The clash continued till early Sunday.

The correspondent could not reach leaders of the rival BCL factions over the phone despite repeated attempts.

Barisal Metropolitan Police Commissioner Md Saiful Islam said the police brought the situation under control at dawn. Additional policemen have been deployed on the campus.

Meanwhile, the university authorities have formed a five-member probe committee to investigate the incident, VC Sadequl Arefin further said.

The university authority has asked all outsiders to leave the hall, the VC said.