Sylhet Educational Institutions
Clashes hamper stability
Unrest gripped at least 10 educational institutions in Sylhet region at different times in the last two weeks, mainly caused by rival student political bodies warring over establishing supremacy and wooing new members.
On the night of July 8, some 42 rooms in MC College's hostel were burnt down following a clash between Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) activists and Shibir men, said the college principal.
The college remained closed for an indefinite period since then. On July 1, 10 students sustained injuries when rival BCL factions clashed over the principal's speech at a programme.
Witnesses said they heard numerous gunshots while BCL rivals factions in Sylhet Government College and MC College clashed over sharing extortion money on July 9.
On July 10, BCL factions in Madan Mohan College clashed, damaging some shops and eight vehicles, over establishing supremacy in enrolling new students in exchange for money, said sources.
Jatiyatabadi Chattra Dal (JCD) and BCL men clashed on Derai Degree College in Sunamganj and Dubag College in Beanibazar upazila on July 6 allegedly over wooing newcomers.
On July 3, BCL, JCD and Shibir activists clashed at Shahjalal (Ra) College, leaving 15 people injured. The institution was kept closed for the following two days.
On the same day, five students of Ragib-Rabeya Degree College of Dakshin Surma upazila were left injured after pro-principal students and their rivals clashed over disputes regarding the college management.
Meanwhile, rival JCD factions clashed over welcoming new students at Nabiganj Degree College in Habiganj, leaving 20 injured.
On July 1, students who had failed to get admitted at Sylhet Polytechnic Institute, reportedly instigated by BCL men, vandalised the college campus over alleged admission irregularities, said sources.
Even private universities were not left out as JCD and BCL activists of Sylhet International University clash on June 24 over establishing supremacy, leaving five students injured.
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