At least five people were injured in a factional clash between two groups of activists of the ruling Awami League-backed student organisation Bangladesh Chhatra League over a trifling matter at Islamic University in Kushtia on Sunday.

The identities of the injured could not be known immediately, IU proctorial body members said.

Witnesses said that a discussion programme on 'Mrittunjoyee Mujib,' marking the 48th death anniversary of the country's founding President Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the National Mourning Day, was held at Bir Shrestha Hamidur Rahman Auditorium in the morning.

IU BCL Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Hall unit activist Shamim Hossain of law department under 2018-19 academic session locked into an altercation with BCL Sheikh Russel Hall unit activist Ashik Quraishi of management department under 2019-20 academic session over entering the auditorium to take part in the programme. 

Following the altercation, two groups, one led by Ziall BCL unit and another led by Russel Hall unit, swooped on each other with sharp weapons in front of Bir Shrestha Hamidur Rahman Auditorium around 2:00pm.

The clash left five people of both groups including Muftain Ahmed Sakib injured on the spot.

Fellow students rescued the injured and took them to IU medical centre for treatment. 

Sakib suffered knife injuries, the students said.

Later, IU BCL unit president Faisal Siddiqi Arafat and its general secretary Nasim Ahmed Joy settled the issue between the two groups. 

“We would take organisational action against those found involved in the incident after proper investigation,” said IU BCL unit president Faisal Siddiqi.

When contacted, IU proctor Professor M Shahadat Hossain Azad said they would take action against the accused involved in the incident upon receiving a complaint.