Clash breaks out on RU campus

A clash erupted between some left-leaning organisations and "Anti-Shahbagh Union", mostly recognised as RU Shibir members, on the Rajshahi University campus tonight.

The clash erupted around 8:00pm when several activists of the anti-Shahbagh Union heading towards the university's Paribahan intersection where leftist organisations were preparing for a "torch protest" against the acquittal of ATM Azharul Islam, who was earlier convicted death sentence.

One of the leftist leaders Fuadul Islam, convener of the Socialist Students Front, said, "We were about to go for our prescheduled torch protest against the decision of releasing ATM Azharul Islam at Poribahan chattar. As the Anti-Shahbagh Union was already holding a protest, we were waiting for them to end their protest. But they suddenly started to attack us with chairs and other stuff."

Asking about the Shibir affiliation, Fuad said, the publicity secretary of RU Shibir was seen at the protest.

However, Ariful Islam of Anti-Shahbagh Union said the leftist leader was teasing them by calling them "Jamaat-Shibir". "So, we were going to talk with them, but they started attacking us instead of having a conversation. I was also attacked by them."

Two leftist leaders Nasim Sarker and Tarek Ashraf were injured in the attack.

At the time of filing the report at 10:30pm, Anti-Shahbagh Union and leftist leaders were inside the Administrative Building of Rajshahi University.

A group of Anti Shahbagh Union were talking with the university's Assistant Proctor Nasir Uddin while some leftist leaders were at the entrance of the admin building.

Assistant Proctor Nasir Uddin said an incident of clash happened between two groups.

"Both the groups are blaming one another. Two of the leftist leaders came under attack. We are trying to convince them to go RU medical centre but they refused. The proctorial body tried to control the situation but it got out of hand. However we are remaining alert," he added.