Proctor assaulted, journalist harassed during midnight clash between JCD and Brahmanbaria students at CU

❐ Campus Correspondent

A bloody clash broke out on the Chittagong University (CU) campus over a trivial incident over a game. At least two people, including a top leader of the Chhatra Dal branch, were seriously injured in the two brawls that broke out in front of the university’s Shahjalal Hall.

There have been allegations that the university’s proctoral body itself was insulted and working journalists were subjected to harassment while trying to bring the situation under control.

The sensational clash took place in front of CU’s Shahjalal Hall at around 11 pm on Tuesday, June 30th.

According to multiple reliable sources at the university, on the night of June 29 (Monday), an arrangement was made to watch the Brazil vs. Japan football match on a big screen at the CU Shahid Minar area. Iftekhar Dishan, a second-year student of the Marketing Department and a native of Brahmanbaria, sat in the seat reserved for female students.

Abdullah Al Mamun, sports secretary of the branch Chhatra Dal, claimed that Dishan was smoking on the girls’ seat, which he stopped when he saw. This led to an argument between the two and eventually a fight. However, Dishan denied the smoking issue and claimed that Mamun misbehaved and beat him up for no reason on Monday night.

The incident on Monday night led to an explosion of anger in front of Shahjalal Hall on Tuesday night at around 11 pm. A group of students from Brahmanbaria district led by Dishan ambushed Chhatra Dal leader Abdullah Al Mamun. After the attack, the students took shelter inside Shahjalal Hall.

When the incident spread to the campus, Chhatra Dal leaders and activists took up positions in front of Shahjalal Hall with sticks, and tension spread throughout the area.

A student from Brahmanbaria who was trapped inside the hall called Ulfatur Rahman, the chief organizer of the university branch’s student power, to save his life. Ulfatur Rahman quickly reached the scene on a motorcycle, rescued the two students from Brahmanbaria, and moved them to a safe place.

The Chhatra Dal leaders and activists were extremely angry at this incident. They called Ulfatur on his cell phone and surrounded him in front of the hall.

Ulfatur Rahman alleged, “I did not commit any crime, I took a student for treatment. But some members of the Chhatra Dal called me, grabbed me by the throat, beat me up and also snatched the keys to my motorcycle.”

Upon receiving news of the campus battleground at midnight, members of the CU Proctorial Body rushed to the scene to calm the situation. But the agitated Chhatra Dal leaders and activists attacked them and insulted the Proctorial Body. At the same time, eyewitnesses said that journalists who were present while carrying out their professional duties were also harassed by the Chhatra Dal.

Chhatra Dal leader Abdullah Al Mamun, who was seriously injured in the fight, was rescued in a bloody state and first taken to the CU medical center.

“Al Mamun suffered a serious head injury and his head is swollen. He was transferred to Chittagong Medical College (CMC) Hospital last night for better treatment,” said Subhashish Chowdhury, the doctor on duty at the medical center.

On the other hand, Chhatra Shakti leader Ulfatur Rahman was given first aid locally.

When asked about the overall situation at the university, CU Proctor Hossain Shahid Sarwardy said, “The clash between the two parties occurred due to a disagreement over watching a game. Currently, the situation is under our control. Necessary legal action will be taken regarding this unwanted incident and both parties will be met.”