15 injured during attack on student meeting at Barishal University

At least 15 people were injured in an attack, allegedly by Chhatra League, on a meeting of student protesters at Barishal University.

The incident happened on Monday afternoon on the ground floor of the university. Among the injured, eight have been admitted to Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital.

Meanwhile, police removed the students who had gathered at Nathullabad Bus Terminal in the city. The law enforcers did not allow the students gathered inside BM College to go out on the road. No untoward incidents occurred, however.

Sujay Shuvo, coordinator of the quota reform movement at Barishal University, said, “We were having a meeting with 20 to 30 students to determine our next course of action. At that time, under the leadership of university Chhatra League leader AK Arafat, 20 to 30 Chhatra League activists attacked with sticks, rods, and pipes.”

“During the attack, we identified Chhatra League members Mahmudul Hasan Tamal, Al Samad Shanto, Khaled Hasan, Shahriar, Sabbir, Saif, Shariful Islam, Rakibul Islam. As they were leaving the campus after the attack, they launched a second attack, injuring at least 15 students. From the morning, police, BGB, and RAB were stationed in front of the campus around our meeting. Chhatra League beat us up in front of them.”

Abdur Rahman Mukul, officer-in-charge of Bandar Police Station, said, “The student meeting was in its final stages. At that time, some students who supported the government’s notification on quota reform entered through the gate. Then there was a scuffle between the two groups. I can’t say if they were from Chhatra League, but they are also university students.”

When contacted, the phone of university Chhatra League leader AK Arafat was found switched off.