At least 10 people, including two journalists, were injured in clashes between two factions of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) at Noakhali Science and Technology University (NSTU) on Tuesday.
The clashes began around 2pm and continued intermittently across the campus following a dispute over hall seat allocation late Monday night.
Witnesses said tension rose when members of one JCD faction allegedly attacked another group. The situation soon escalated into a clash, with the two groups chasing each other across the campus.
The violence created panic among students.
Witnesses said several outsiders carrying sticks also joined the clashes.
Daily Manab Zamin correspondent Mahi Siddiqui Siam and Protidiner Sangbad correspondent Mehedi Hasan were allegedly assaulted by JCD activists while recording videos of the clashes.
The journalists alleged that the activists forcibly took their mobile phones, deleted video footage and searched their social media and Messenger accounts.
A university press club journalist was also injured while covering the clashes.
Five students injured in the day’s clashes were identified as Shamim Hossain of the 15th batch, Sohaag Chakma of ICE’s 17th batch, Mahmudul Hasan Antor of THM’s 17th batch, Kaif Hasan of DBA’s 17th batch and Zahir Hossain of DBA’s 18th batch.
Three other students-Anisur Rahman Sifat of the Statistics Department’s 18th batch, Jahidul Islam Hasan of the Applied Mathematics Department’s 15th batch and Samiul Islam of the Agriculture Department’s 19th batch-were injured in an earlier clash in the early hours of Tuesday.
The injured students received treatment at the university’s medical centre before some were taken to Noakhali General Hospital.
Police detained an outsider and handed him over to the authorities, according to witnesses.
JCD leader Anisur Rahman Sifat, who was allegedly attacked, claimed that supporters of the unit president and general secretary had planned the attack following an argument over a hall seat.
Senior Vice-President Sabbir Hasan said he had informed the central committee about the incident, describing it as a violation of organisational discipline.
General Secretary Hasibul Hossain said he was unaware of the details and would look into the matter. Attempts to contact unit President Zahid Hasan for comment were unsuccessful.
The dispute reportedly began with an argument over the swapping of seats in a residential hall. It later escalated into a clash between supporters of President Zahid Hasan and General Secretary Hasibul Hossain on one side and supporters of Senior Vice-President Sabbir Hasan on the other.
Vice-Chancellor Prof Golam Rabbani, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Treasurer, Proctor and other university officials visited the campus to assess the situation and help restore order.
“We came to the spot to assess the overall situation and take immediate steps. The administration, teachers and staff are working together to control the situation,” the vice-chancellor said.
He said there was no immediate need for additional law enforcement personnel inside the campus, but the administration would take necessary measures if the situation deteriorated.
Calling the previous night’s incident “unfortunate”, Rabbani said those responsible would be identified and face strict administrative and legal action.
He said an investigation committee would be formed soon to look into the incident and submit its report within a stipulated timeframe.
