Proctor among 12 hurt as BCL men clash at PSTU

At least 12 people have been injured in a clash between two factions of Bangladesh Chhatra League at Patuakhali Science and Technology University (PSTU) in the district.

The injured include Proctor Santosh Kumer Bosh, Anisuzzaman Anis, president of the university unit of BCL, its office secretary Marshal Ovi, Mohaiminul Islam, organising secretary of M Keramat Ali Hall unit of the party, and activists Mohaiminul Islam Tanim, Ovi, Tajin and Munna.

Of them, Tanim, Ovi, Tajin and Munna were admitted to PSTU Health Centre while the rest were given first aid.

Police and students said two BCL activists -- Kamrul Islam, student of 8th semester of food and nutrition science department and Mehedi Hasan Uzzal, student of 8th semester of BBA -- engaged in an altercation over sitting inside the university bus around 8:00pm on Sunday when they were returning to the campus from Barisal.

After returning to campus, some supporters of Kamrul assaulted Uzzal and his friend Ratul in 'Joybangla' area in front of the administrative building.

As the news of the attack spread, the men of Uzzal and Ratul equipped with lethal weapons swooped on the supporters of Kamrul at Sher-e-Bangla Hall on the campus, triggering a clash.

Around 8:00am yesterday, the men of Kamrul attacked the supporters of Uzzal and ransacked some rooms of M Keramat Ali Hall over Sunday's incident, triggering a fresh clash.  A case and counter chase also took place between the two rival groups.

During the incident, the proctor was also injured when he went to pacify the clashing groups.

On information, the law enforcers rushed to the spot in the afternoon and brought the situation under control, said Azam Khan Faruquee, officer-in-charge of Dumki Police Station.

Md Rayhan Ahmed Rimon, secretary of the university unit of the party, said the clash took place between held between 'Patuakhali and Barisal groups', not BCL groups.

Punitive steps will be taken against those responsible for the offence after investigating the incident, said the proctor.