A clash broke out between students of the sociology and economics departments at Barisal University (BU), armed with sticks, over a dispute about a latched door at an off-campus student mess.
The incident occurred around 10:30 p.m. Friday (Sept. 4) in front of the university’s Gate No. 3. No injuries were immediately reported from either side. Students from both departments faced off with sticks until around 11:15 p.m., when teachers arrived and brought the situation under control. Students and eyewitnesses said several students from the sociology and economics departments live together at an off-campus mess. An argument and tension first arose among a few students from the two departments over the latching of the mess door.
At one point, the dispute spread to other students from the two departments. They then gathered near the university’s Gate No. 3, armed with sticks. A confrontation and chase then broke out between the two sides.
By around 11:30 p.m., a group of economics department students armed with sticks had gathered at the Chatimtala area on the other side of the university’s VC Gate.
Meanwhile, sociology department students gathered in the Bhola Road area near the university’s Gate No. 1. This raised fears of a renewed clash, creating a tense situation on campus. University teachers later arrived at the scene and brought the situation under control.
Dr. Gazi Sakhawat Hossain, assistant proctor of Barisal University, said teachers had reached the scene and were trying to keep the situation under control.