Around 50 students, including Jagannath University Central Students’ Union (JnUCSU) leaders, were injured in a clash between Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), Chhatra Shibir and Chhatra Shakti on Tuesday.

The clash erupted over a placard demonstration, where protesters raised demands including the handover of the university’s second campus construction works to the army.

Among the injured were the JnUCSU vice-president and central Shibir leader Riazul Islam, JnUCSU General Secretary and JnU Shibir presudent Abdul Alim Arif, AGS Masud Rana, president of JnU Jatiya Chhatra Shakti Shahin Mia, secretary Ferdows Sheikh, JnUCSU leaders Mehedi Hasan, Abdullah Al Faruk, JCD member Arman Hossain, Kallyan Kar along with several students and journalists, and others.

The clash erupted at around 11:30am at the university’s central auditorium during a documentary screening event on July Uprising held at the University Central Auditorium in the presence of the chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC).

According to eyewitnesses, several JnUCSU representatives and members of the Inqilab Moncho attempted to enter the event carrying placards writing various demands including swift implementation of a temporary housing project in Keraniganj, and improvements to medical centre facilities and healthcare services of the University.

Later, a verbal altercation broke out between the two sides, when they were obstructed later escalated into a clash. Following this, tension spread across the campus. The JCD leaders and activists later staged a sit-in in the campus demanding the expulsion of Shibir from the campus.

JnUCSU General Secretary Abdul Alim Arif alleged that the students were obstructed and attacked by JCD leaders while trying to peacefully present their demands. He claimed that JnUCSU representatives were injured in the attack and that the university’s medical centre was also vandalised.

He further alleged that some teachers had instigated the attack. He demanded a proper investigation into the incident, punishment for those responsible, and swift action from the university administration, warning that a movement would be announced if steps were not taken within a stipulated time.

Regarding the attack, JnU Jatiya Chhatra Shakti President Shahin Mia said several were injured in the attack. “they kicked in the face, and even all parts of my body. They beat several of us indiscriminately,” he said, adding that Chhatra Shakti General Secretary Ferdous Sheikh was also severaly injured.

JnU Socialist Students Front President Evan Tahsiv said obstructing entry to the UGC chairman’s event with placards was undemocratic. He alleged that JCD leaders and activists attacked JnUCSU, Inqilab Moncho and Chhatra Shibir leaders and activists present at the venue.

Evan Tahsib also condemned the administration’s silence and said clamoed that it created a sense of insecurity among students on campus. He aslo called to take effective measures to stop such politics of occupation.

Regarding the matter, JCD unit Member Secretary Shamsul Arefin said JnUCSU’s failures and the misdeeds of Jamaat-Shibir across Bangladesh were being used to cover up their own shortcomings.

“When we see them trying to create mob unrest at Begum Rokeya University, they are attempting the same at Jagannath University. Since 5 August, they have been continuing this mob culture,” he said, adding that the decision to resist them lay with general students, who had themselves resisted attempts to undermine their right to housing.

However, after the clash at the university, over 30 students and leaders of various political organisations attended Dhaka National Medical College Hospital for treatment. A clash also broke out at around 2:30pm in front of the hospital’s gate, where several others were injured.

Meanwhile, the university authorities have called an urgent press conference over the incident, describing it as “unwanted”. They also reportedly formed a three member probe body to identify those responsible.