OUR CORRESPONDENT, Barishal

At least 20 people were injured in a clash between activists of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) and Islami Chhatra Shibir at Government Muladi College in Barishal yesterday.

Witnesses said the incident occurred around noon when JCD activists allegedly attacked Shibir members, who were preparing a freshers’ reception programme in the college.

Shibir leaders claimed that the attackers, armed with locally made weapons, carried out vandalism and created panic on the campus. At least 15 Shibir activists were injured in the attack.

Of the injured, six were admitted to Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital in Barishal, while the others received treatment at Muladi Upazila Health Complex.

Shibir’s Barishal district president, Md Akbar Hossain, alleged that Muladi upazila JCD convener Mohiuddin, secretary Belal, college unit president Rifat Mallik, and secretary Kawser led the attack.

“We demand immediate arrest of the attackers,” he added.

However, JCD refuted the allegations. Muladi upazila JCD convener Mohiuddin Dhali said, “Shibir men barred our activists from entering the campus and beat up at least five of our local activists.”

Jahangir Hossain, a physician at Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital, confirmed that six injured students were admitted to the surgery ward and are undergoing treatment.

Muladi Police Station Officer-in-Charge Shafiqul Rahman said, “A scuffle took place centring Shibir’s programme, leaving several people injured. We have not received any written complaint yet.”