We are worried to know that a BCL member, a student of the law department at Leading University in Sylhet, was stabbed to death allegedly by his rival group members in Sylhet; and six other Chhatra League activists and two policemen were injured in another clash between the two factions of BCL in Chittagong Government College on October 16. As this daily has reported, the reason for both the incidents was due to the turf war in the college campuses.

Clashes between the various factions of BCL, the pro-Awami League student body, in public universities and colleges have become a regular phenomenon. The members of this student body often engage in fighting over petty issues which eventually end up in death and injury of their fellow students. In the Chittagong Government College incident, the altercation broke out over hanging banners on the college premises.

In most cases, the university or college authorities play the role of silent spectators and hardly take any disciplinary action against these so-called students. And regrettably, we barely see any action taken by the ruling party against the rowdy students of its student wing. The ruling party must not overlook these incidents and should take stern action against the unruly elements of its affiliated student body or risk tarnishing of image.

Needless to say, such violence by the BCL members ruins the academic environment of the campuses. Also, the safety and security of the general students are under threat. Unless punitive action is taken against those responsible for these incidents, such clashes will continue to happen and many more precious lives may be lost.