A clash broke out between two factions of Chhatra Dal at Jagannath University (JnU) during a concert held as part of the party unit’s freshers’-welcome event, centred on a dispute over seating on the stage. Three people were injured in the clash, which took place around 12:30am on Wednesday night (September 16) in the Kathaltala area of the university. Two of the injured suffered head wounds, and all three were treated at Dhaka National Medical College Hospital.
According to eyewitnesses, the trouble began during the concert when an argument broke out over stage seating between followers of JnU unit Chhatra Dal’s joint convener No. 2, Mostafizur Rahman Rumi, and joint convener No. 1, Suman Sardar. The argument escalated into pushing and a scuffle, before the clash spread to the Kathaltala area in front of the Social Science building.
Those injured in the clash were identified as Tanzil Ahmed Mithil, a 2022-23 batch student of the mathematics department, and Shawon and Monir, both batch-12 students of the chemistry department. All three went to Dhaka National Medical College Hospital for treatment. Kamal Hossain, a doctor in the hospital’s emergency department, said: “Three people came in for treatment. Two of them had head injuries. One has been admitted to the surgery department.”
JnU unit Chhatra Dal joint convener Suman Sardar said: “There was a scuffle due to a misunderstanding between seniors and juniors. We have settled it.” However, the specific cause of the clash could not be immediately confirmed. Multiple attempts to reach Chhatra Dal convener Mehedi Hasan Himel and joint convener Mostafizur Rahman Rumi for comment were unsuccessful.
Asked about the incident, university proctor Professor Dr Azam Khan said: “I don’t know anything about this. This is the first I’m hearing of it. I will look into it and take action.”