A clash broke out in Chittagong University in the first hour of 21st February between two factions of Bangladesh Chhatra League over paying tributes at Shaheed Minar.
The clash erupted at around 1 a.m. on Tuesday, which left 20 activists injured, said the leaders of the two groups.
According to campus sources, these two groups- ‘brothers’ and ‘Moku’- are sub-factions of BCL’s CU unit’s Bijoy group.
While the leaders and activists of ‘brothers’ group were on their way to the university’s central Shaheed Minar the activists of ‘Moku’ group tried to bar them from going there, triggering the violence.
One of the injured was transferred to Chattogram Medical College and Hospital.
Delwar, an officer at CU Medical Centre, said a total of 20 people received treatment.
Delwar Hossain, a leader of a faction of Bijoy group said, “They had taken over our rooms. When we tried to talk about it, the situation turned violent.”
“They were trying to evict some of our activists from Alaol Hall for several days now and started chasing us today when we were going to the hall,” Hossain said.
Several leaders and activists from the ‘brothers’ group claimed they were attacked while carrying wreaths to the Shaheed Minar.
Although the groups were engaged in the clash for nearly two hours no one from the university administration was reportedly present there.
Dr. Shahidul Islam, acting Proctor of the university, said proctorial body and police went there and controlled the situation upon receiving information.
“We will look into the matter seriously if there’s a written complaint,” he said.