20 students injured in clash at Barisal University

At least 20 students were injured in a clash between students of two departments at Barisal University on Saturday night, reportedly following an incident involving a romantic proposal to a junior student.

The incident took place from around 9pm until late at night in areas around the university campus and its main gate.

According to students, Musa Hossain, a 12th-batch student of the English Department, allegedly proposed to a first-year student of the Economics Department. He reportedly took her mobile phone and sent a Facebook friend request from his account. Students later accused him of ragging and harassing her after she did not respond to the proposal.

After Economics Department students informed their seniors, students from both departments gathered on campus. At one point, Musa was allegedly assaulted, triggering further clashes between the two groups.

Several rounds of chasing and counter-chasing continued inside and outside the campus throughout the night.

Around 12:30am, several Economics Department students were reportedly taken to hospital in a university ambulance. Students alleged that five to seven of them were assaulted after being stopped near Gate 3.

However, students from the English Department denied the allegations against Musa, saying the incident had been exaggerated.

University Proctor Associate Professor Mehedi Hasan Sohag said both sides had been calmed down and that action would be taken under university rules if a formal complaint was submitted.

SKS