Clash between Chhatra Dal, Shibir disrupts traffic at Begum Rokeya University

A clash between activists of Chhatra Dal and Chhatra Shibir at Begum Rokeya University (BRUR) in Rangpur left several people injured and disrupted traffic on the Rangpur-Dhaka highway for more than three hours on Monday evening.

The violence erupted over a banner displayed at a Chhatra Shibir photography exhibition marking July Uprising Day. Chhatra Dal objected to a banner describing six Jamaat-e-Islami and BNP leaders as victims of “judicial killing”, triggering an altercation that escalated into clashes.

Both student organisations blamed each other for initiating the violence. Among the injured were Chhatra Dal vice-president Ashikur Rahman, Shibir-backed student leader Mehedi Hasan and former Shibir branch president Sohel Rana.

The clashes spread from the campus to the adjacent highway, halting traffic between Rangpur and Dhaka and affecting routes to Kurigram and Lalmonirhat. Hundreds of vehicles were stranded before authorities brought the situation under control.

University Proctor Dr Md Ferdous Rahman said the dispute began over the controversial banner and alleged that the unrest was instigated by the banned Chhatra League. He said the university would hold talks with both groups to resolve the issue.

Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Md Shawkat Ali condemned the violence, urged students to maintain peace on campus and assured a fair investigation into the incident.