A senior-junior dispute at Comilla University (CoU) escalated into clashes between students of the ICT Department and Shahid Dhirendranath Datta Hall, leaving at least 12 students injured.
The incident began with an argument at the university’s central library and later turned into physical attacks, chases and clashes involving students of the ICT Department and Shaheed Dhirendranath Datta Hall.
The trouble started around 11:30am on Sunday near the central library and later spread to the area in front of Datta Hall.
Although a meeting between the two sides at the proctor’s office around 12:30pm led to a temporary settlement, the situation deteriorated again, resulting in several rounds of clashes.
Library dispute triggers tension
According to eyewitnesses, the incident began over a disagreement during study hours at the central library.
ICT Department’s 19th batch students Salman Patwari Abir and his classmate Omar were studying at the library when Sakib, a student of the Anthropology Department from the 2022-23 academic session, asked them to speak quietly.
Witnesses said Sakib later asked them, “Which batch are you from?” Abir did not respond and left the spot after saying “sorry”.
Later, when Abir’s friend Samin Majumder came out of the library, Sakil allegedly kicked him, according to witnesses. Members of the proctorial body then intervened and took both sides to the proctor’s office, where the matter was settled.
However, during the meeting, Sakil’s friend Rafsan Sami allegedly took photographs of ICT students and threatened them with physical assault along with some of Sakil’s other friends, according to those familiar with the matter.
Clash spreads after failed settlement
The situation became tense again after the students left the proctor’s office.
Eyewitnesses and video footage showed that after the settlement, two ICT Department students from the 19th batch attempted to leave the campus but were allegedly attacked with sticks near the university’s main gate.
Those allegedly involved in the attack included Sakil of the Archaeology Department from the 2021-22 academic session, Kazi Tahsin of the English Department, Mazharul Islam Abir of Anthropology, Ehsan of Finance and Banking, Rafsan Sami of Management Education, Tanvir Sakib of Anthropology and Sakil Ahmed Pranto of Law.
An ICT student was also involved in the altercation, according to video footage.
The footage showed that the alleged attackers chased the students from the main gate towards the ICT Department. As ICT students became agitated, the proctorial body locked the department gate.
Later, after the gate was opened following protests by students, ICT students chased those allegedly involved in the attack.
The confrontation later moved to the front of Shahid Dhirendranath Datta Hall. Video footage showed that Abir, a hall resident and one of those accused of involvement in the earlier attack, allegedly hit an ICT student with a stick.
The situation escalated after the ICT students retaliated, leading to clashes with hall residents.
Students from Datta Hall and Bijoy-24 Hall also joined the clashes, during which several ICT students were assaulted, witnesses said.
12 students injured
Those reportedly involved in the clash included students from several departments, including Anthropology, English, Archaeology, Accounting and Information Systems and Finance and Banking.
The injured included Junaid Lamim, Mazharul Islam Abir, Kazi Tahsin, Sakil Khan, Sourav Kabya, Shihab, Shafiullah Akash, Mohammad Tawhid, Tiyas, Nazmul Hossain and Mortuza Hossain Siddiq.
University sources said the students allegedly involved in the initial attack took shelter at Shahid Dhirendranath Datta Hall after being chased. A clash later broke out between ICT students and hall residents despite the presence of the proctorial body.
Several rounds of chases and physical altercations took place, witnesses said.
ICT Department student Samin Majumder said, “We were leaving through the gate when some people called us over. When one of them pushed a student, I asked why. Later, they grabbed my neck and punched me. I also hit back in self-defence.”
“Earlier, some students had pushed and kicked my friend after asking his batch at the library. Later, seniors stopped the matter and it was settled at the proctor’s office,” he added.
ICT student Iftekhar said, “After classes, Samin, Faisal and I were walking together when some people called us over, surrounded us and started beating us.”
“When I was kicked, Samin came forward to save me, but he was also punched. Later, around 10 to 12 people attacked us. Even when we tried to escape, they followed us and beat us. Students who came to help us were also assaulted,” he said.
Students alleged that an earlier dispute involving Sakib of the 2022-23 academic session and Sakil of the Archaeology Department with a 2024-25 batch ICT student also contributed to the escalation.
University launches probe
Deputy Chief of Comilla University Medical Centre Mahmudul Hasan Sohag said 12 students received treatment following the clash.
“Eight of them were sent to Comilla Medical College Hospital. One of them suffered a serious injury and his hand was fractured,” he said.
Among those injured were ICT students Tawhid from the 2023-24 academic session, Samin Majumder, Iftekhar, Rudra Muhammad Shahidullah, Nisharul and Saif from the 2024-25 academic session, along with Datta Hall student Nibir.
Datta Hall Provost Jony Alam said, “Following a morning incident, students attacked the hall and vandalised property. We are trying to identify those involved by examining CCTV footage.”
“We have informed the university administration about the attack on the hall so that a proper investigation can be conducted and justice ensured,” he added.
CoU Proctor Professor Shahadat Hossain said, “Initially, we brought both sides together and resolved the issue. I cannot say what caused the fresh dispute later. We are trying to resolve the matter.”
“We will review the issues and decide on action against those involved,” he added.
ICT Department Head Professor Md Tofael Ahmed said, “Today’s incident was unexpected. A committee has been formed to investigate the matter.”
Vice-Chancellor Professor MM Shariful Karim said, “Ensuring students’ security is our main priority. An attack on a hall cannot be accepted in any way.”
“We have held a meeting. Once the video footage committee submits its report, action will be taken against those involved,” he added.
