RAJSHAHI: At least 10 students were injured in a fierce factional clash of Chhatra League at Rajshahi University on Saturday afternoon in a sequel to rivalries for establishing supremacy over the campus, witnesses said.

Local administration imposed restrictions on the campus following the violence while police started raiding different halls in a hunt for outsiders.

Police, meanwhile, arrested RU-unit BCL general secretary Apu from the campus in connection with the rioting.

As tensions mounted among the feuding groups, additional police were deployed on the campus to fend off further violence.

Motihar thana Officer-in-Charge Abul Khayer told banglanews24.com.bd that the supporters of RU-unit BCL president Awal Kabir Joy and general secretary Majedul Islam Apu had an altercation at about 2:30pm over smoking.

“At one stage, the Apu group chased the Joy group and drove them away to Juberi bhaban and chopped their opponent Fardin. Later, the Joy group equipped with lethal weapons swooped on Zia Hall and Suhrawardy Hall, leaving a number of opponents injured,” said a spot account of the fighting.

At one stage, both the groups traded gunshots, injuring two by bullet, campus sources said.

 Bullet-hit Mehedi of Joy group and Shakib of Chemistry Dept and four other injured were rushed to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital. The four are Mehedi of Sanskrit dept, Aziz of Physics dept, Fardin of Islamic History Dept and Fardin of Banking dept.

Condition of the latter four was stated to be critical.

RU BCL President Joy told banglanews24.com.bd, “The unexpected incident happened due to misunderstanding. Some outsiders instigated the incident. The two groups are going to sit for a solution.”

Rajshahi University Proctor Chowdhury Mohammad Zakaria said restrictions on movement were imposed on the campus as tension escalated. The RU authorities took the decision to calm the tension, he said.

The Motihar thana OC said, “Additional police force have been deployed at all gates of the varsity. Those who were outside campus were allowed to enter after showing their ID cards while none was allowed to go out.”

He also said raids on student dormitories were on to pick up the outsiders.
 
BDST: 1910 HRS, AUG 7, 2010