Eight activists from the Islamic University unit of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), the student wing of the ruling Awami League, have been suspended from the organisation temporarily for violating its rules and regulations. 

A press release, signed by IU BCL unit President Faisal Siddiqi Arafat and General Secretary Nasim Ahmed Joy, was issued on this matter this morning. 

Read: 5 injured in BCL factional clash at Islamic University

The suspended activists are: Sabbir Khan, Shamim Reza, Akib Masud Anubhav, Parvez Hossain Banat and Abdul Quader of BCL's Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Hall unit; Ashik Quraishi of Sheikh Russel Hall unit;  Shahdullah Siddiqui Saimun; and Tasin Azad of Jatir Pita Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall unit.

According to the press release, the activists were suspended from the student organisation as they were allegedly involved in "anti-organisational activities."

IU BCL unit President Faisal Siddiqi Arafat told UNB that they suspended the eight activists from the organisation temporarily for violating its rules and regulations. 

Read: Another first-year student at Islamic University alleges torture by BCL activists

They also submitted a written statement to the BCL central body for their permanent expulsion, he added.

Earlier on Sunday, a discussion programme marking the 48th martyrdom anniversary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the National Mourning Day, was held at Bir Shrestha Hamidur Rahman Auditorium in the morning.

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

Read:3 BCL activists vandalised Islamic University’s medical centre, says duty doctor

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

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

Fellow students rescued the injured and took them to the IU Medical Centre for treatment. Sakib suffered knife injuries during the clash.