JCD-Shibir clashes rock campuses, scores injured

A wave of violent clashes between activists of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) and Islami Chhatra Shibir swept across university campuses in Rangpur and Dhaka within 24 hours, leaving scores of people injured and prompting a heavy police deployment amid fears of further unrest.

The violence first erupted on Monday evening at Begum Rokeya University in Rangpur (BRUR), where activists of the rival organisations fought for nearly five and a half hours, engaging in repeated chases, counter-chases and brickbat throwing until around 1am on Tuesday.

University Proctor Prof Dr Md Ferdous Rahman said the clash began after Chhatra Dal objected to a banner erected for a Shibir programme, with a verbal altercation quickly escalating into violence. The university administration has formed a five-member inquiry committee to investigate the incident.

On Tuesday afternoon, activists of Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, Jubo Dal and Swechchhasebak Dal gathered outside the university's main gate carrying sticks and other locally made weapons in a show of solidarity with the campus JCD unit. Witnesses said some were carrying knives, machetes and bamboo sticks while chanting slogans against Jamaat-Shibir.

Although Shibir had also announced a programme at the same venue, its activists did not appear. Prof Ferdous Rahman said a large police contingent was deployed and non-student activists were instructed to remain outside the campus to prevent further confrontation.

The unrest spread to the capital on Tuesday morning when rival activists clashed at Jagannath University, leaving at least 15 people injured, including university unit Shibir President Abdul Alim Arif and Chhatra Dal Convening Committee member Yasin Saif.

Witnesses said the confrontation broke out around 11:45am as the University Grants Commission chairman arrived at the university's central auditorium to attend a programme. Chhatra Dal activists later forced Shibir members off the campus before staging a sit-in.

The violence later extended to National Medical College Hospital, where injured activists had been taken for treatment. Fresh clashes erupted outside the hospital as supporters of both organisations gathered, with several activists seen carrying locally made weapons.

Sutrapur Police Station Officer-in-Charge Matiur Rahman told the Daily Observer that police intervened to bring the situation under control after violence broke out both on the campus and at the hospital.

Hours later, another clash erupted outside Dhaka College auditorium around 3pm, leaving about 20 people injured, according to witnesses.

Chhatra Dal alleged that Shibir activists, accompanied by outsiders, attacked its members and detonated crude bombs outside the campus. Shibir rejected the allegation, claiming its activists were attacked while attending a previously announced prayer programme for those killed during the July Uprising.

Police deployed additional personnel around Dhaka College, New Market and the Science Laboratory intersection to prevent further violence.

Fresh unrest also broke out around 5pm at Alia Madrasa in Bakshibazar, where several people, including Principal Mahmud Obaidul Haque, were injured.

Former Alia unit Chhatra Dal Senior Joint Convenor Sanuallah and Lalbagh unit Chhatra Dal Member Secretary Nichar Uddin Rabbi were admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

Student witnesses alleged that a group armed with iron rods, sticks and brickbats attacked Chhatra Dal activists inside the campus.

 Rabbi claimed the attackers were Shibir activists, although the allegation could not be independently verified.

Police said tensions over control of residential halls and campus influence had been building since the morning, though investigators were still trying to determine the immediate trigger for the violence.

Lalbagh Division Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Talebur Rahman said the situation was brought under control by around 6pm after additional police were deployed.

The back-to-back clashes have heightened concerns over escalating political rivalry on university campuses, with authorities maintaining heightened security to prevent further violence.