BCL made nightlong showdown at RU campus

A tense situation unfolded at Rajshahi University‍‍`s  Shahid Sohrawardy Hall as allegations of violence surfaced against Atiqul Islam, the co-vice president of the hall branch of Chhatra League, the student wing of the ruling party.

According to eyewitnesses, following the incident on Monday night, supporter fractions of the president and general secretary launched an attack with locally made weapons. From around 1:30 AM onwards, clashes erupted near the Madar Baksh Hall of the university, with activists from various halls converging. During this time, many were seen wielding rods, sticks, and locally made weapons.

Later, around 3:00 AM, university authorities and police personnel conducted a raid at  Shahid Sohrawardy Hall, leading to a relatively calm situation. By 4:00 AM, activists had dispersed from the scene.

Asadullah-Hil-Galib, the general secretary of the hall branch of Chhatra League, stated, "My activists saw Niaz entering the dining hall through the rooftop from Joha Hall and Madar Baksh Hall. I informed the proctor about this, and then the proctor, with the help of the police administration, conducted the raid."

Efforts to contact Niaz Morshed, the joint secretary of the hall branch of Chhatra League and president of  Shahid Sohrawardy Hall, were unsuccessful.

Professor Asabul Haque, the proctor of the university, informed journalists around 5:00 AM after the end of the operation, "We received information from a source about outsiders entering the hall, so we conducted a search. At this time, we found a part of a Chinese-made axe. We conducted the operation in some suspicious rooms. At this time, we found some non-resident students. However, considering the situation, they were allowed to leave. The hall administration will take action on this matter."

Regarding the clash outside the hall, he said, "We haven‍‍‍‍`t seen such scenes before. Since it concerns positions in the hall, we are trying to mediate with both sides."

Incident Background

On Saturday night, around 10:00 PM, clashes broke out at Shahid Sohrawardy Hall, centering around the guest room. Niaz Morshed, the general secretary of the hall branch of Chhatra League, and Niaz Morshed, the joint secretary of the hall branch of Chhatra League and president of the hall, along with co-vice president Atiqur Rahman Atik, were present.

Atik‍‍`s supporters took positions in favor of Atiq, who is also the president of the university branch of Chhatra League. At one point, they were joined by the supporters of Asadullah-Hil-Galib, the general secratary.

On the other hand, at this time, Shahinul Islam Sarker Don, the vice president of the hall branch of Chhatra League, who was removed from his post, was seen taking position in favor of Niaz Morshed. This conflict, which began at 11:00 PM, subsided around 3:00 AM the following day. During this time, both sides were seen throwing bricks at each other. Additionally, activists were seen carrying sticks, rods, and locally made weapons. The sound of six cocktail explosions during the clashes was also heard.