At least 15 activists of Islami Chhatra Shibir (ICS) and five of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) were injured in a series of clashes between the two student organisations in Dhaka University and Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) areas yesterday.
Among the inured, ICS leaders Jahidur Rahman, Mashukur Rahman, Humayun Rashid, Mohiuddin, Mohammad Zakaria, Ferdousur Rahman Rumi, Zubair Islam Nahid, Mizanur Rahman and Mahfuzul Haque were admitted to DMCH.
Two BCL activists, Rahat Khan and Pradip Biswas Titu, were also admitted to the same hospital They later fled
from DMCH fearing ICS attack. The other injured BCL activists are Maruf and Ujjal.
Witnesses said the clash erupted at the main gate of the arts building around 11:45am when some ICS men were distributing invitation cards among the teachers for an Iftar party. They engaged in an altercation when some BCL activists protested the distribution of the cards.
One of the BCL activists then rushed to Madhu's Canteen and informed fellow leaders about the incident. The BCL men who were gathered at the canteen rushed to the arts building and attacked the ICS men with bamboo sticks leaving
at least six ICS men injured.
Soon after the attack BCL and its six left-leaning allies brought out a procession and held a rally at the main gate of the arts building demanding a ban on ICS in the campus.
After being beaten up the ICS men gathered at the Mall Chattar area and tried to bring out a procession for the first time in DU protesting the attack on their activists.
As soon as the ICS men chanted slogans, the BCL men and their allies rushed to the spot and attacked the ICS men again. The ICS chanting slogans in the name of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), student wing of the ruling BNP, made a counter attack.
The BCL men then chased the ICS men out of the campus. At least 10 ICS men and two BCL activists were injured during this clash.
The BCL led alliance student organisations brought out another procession, following the attack, and held a rally at the foot of Aparajeyo Bangla with a direction to the BCL activists to resist ICS wherever and whenever they are found.
In another clash between the BCL and ICS men in front of DMCH at least two persons, Ramzan Ali Rony, 22, and a 70-year old woman, were injured. The two parties engaged in throwing brickbats at the emergency gate of DMCH.
Witnesses said a group of 35 to 40 ICS men gathered at the emergency gate of DMCH and were taking preparation to hold a press conference. A group of BCL men comprising 15-20 activists rushed to the gate and began to throw brickbats at the ICS men.
The ICS men also threw brickbats at the BCL men which continued for at least 10 minutes forcing the on duty police to fire at least six tear gas shells. The BCL men were chased away and the situation came under control.
Additional police were deployed at the DMCH area to avoid further untoward incidents. Panic gripped the patients, doctors and staffs of DMCH during the clash.
ICS president Shishir Mohammad Monir of DU unit at a press conference at the Jatiya Press Club said 20-25 BCL leaders attacked their men without any provocation. More attacks may occur on ICS men at different residential halls of the DU by the BCL 'cadres' at night, he added.
The ICS in a statement demanded immediate arrest and punishment of the BCL leaders and activists.
Meanwhile, the BCL-led seven organisations submitted a memorandum to the Vice-chancellor of DU demanding immediate action taken against the ICS. They also threatened to go for tougher movements if the authorities tried to safeguard the ICS men.
Condemning the ICS movement on the DU campus, Bangladesh Chhatra Union and Samajtantrik Chhatra Front in separate statements urged the student community to resist the ICS in DU campus.