6 CU BCL men hurt in factional clashes

At least six activists of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) were injured during factional clashes at Chittagong University yesterday over a trifling matter.

Of the injured students, Enam Chowdhury and Arafat Hossain of history, Mirza Khabir of law, and Masum of sociology were treated at the university medical centre, said Md Salauddin, inspector (investigation) of Hathazari Police Station. He said loyalists of CU BCL President Mohammad Alamgir Tipu beat up Khabir, a follower of CU BCL General Secretary Fazle Rabby Sujan, in front of the central library around 5:00pm.  They had an altercation over senior-junior relationship, said a police source.

The inspector said on information, the loyalists of the general secretary beat up Enam Chowdhury and Arafat Hossain, who are supporters of the president. Later, both groups organised, and chased and pelted each other, he said. Police fired teargas to bring the situation under control, he added.

Tipu and Sujan said the activists responsible would face organisational action.

Around 8:00pm, the two groups pelted each other again from inside Shahjalal hall, which is said to be dominated by the president, and Shah Amanat hall, the stronghold of the general secretary. Two activists, Md Foysal of mathematics and Rezaul Karim Titu of philosophy, were injured at that time. The clash was stopped when police fired a few more tear shells. Additional police were deployed to prevent further violence.