Government City College in Chattogram has been temporarily shut down following repeated clashes between activists of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal and Islami Chhatra Shibir on campus.
In a notice issued on Wednesday and signed by Principal Prof Abu Saleh Mohammad Naeem Uddin, the authorities announced that all classes and internal examinations would remain suspended on Thursday due to unavoidable circumstances.
The notice clarified that National University examinations will continue as scheduled.
The 2024 Degree (Pass) second-year exams will proceed as planned, while third-year selection examinations are set to begin on 26 April. A revised schedule for postponed exams on 22 and 23 April will be issued later.
College sources said tensions escalated over a piece of campus graffiti reading “Student politics and Chhatra League-free campus.”
On Monday night, activists allegedly altered the slogan by removing the word “student” and adding the word “gupto” (hidden), triggering confrontation between rival groups.
The first round of clashes broke out on Tuesday morning, involving chasing and counter-chasing as well as brickbat exchanges between the two groups.
Police intervened to restore order, after which the college authorities suspended classes and internal examinations.
Fresh violence erupted in the afternoon following a protest procession by Chhatra Shibir activists, leading to another round of clashes in front of the college gate.
Witnesses said both sides used sticks and hurled bricks, while questions were raised over the police response.
During the clashes, Islami Chhatra Shibir activist Ashraful Islam was seriously injured, with reports indicating that his right ankle was severed.
He was later taken to Dhaka for advanced treatment.
Meanwhile, Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal staged a protest rally in Chattogram city on Wednesday against the attack on its activists.
The rally began at the Old Railway Station ground and proceeded through key city roads before concluding at the New Market intersection, where a brief gathering was held.
At the meeting, Chhatra Dal Central General Secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir alleged that “hidden politics” would not be allowed in educational institutions and claimed that the attacks on their activists were pre-planned. He also accused rival groups of attempting to shift blame through misinformation.
He said political disagreements should be resolved through dialogue rather than violence and warned of tougher programmes if such incidents continue.
Senior leaders from Chhatra Dal’s central and local units were present at the programme.
