200 injured as RU students clash with locals

The Report Desk

Published: March 11, 2023, 07:39 PM

200 injured as RU students clash with locals

More than 200 people were injured in a clash that broke out between Rajshahi University students, and locals on Saturday evening. The injured included 10 campus journalists.

The incident took place near the Binodpur gate of the university allegedly over bus seats. 

The university suspended classes and exams for two days after the incident.

The authorities have deployed Border Guard Bangladesh to Rajshahi University after arson attacks during clashes between students and locals over an altercation with transport workers.

The agitating students created blockade into the road which leads to Dhaka-Rajshahi highway.

Attackers torched several shops next to the Binodpur gate of the university after the clashes erupted on Saturday evening. A police box and a motorcycle were also burnt at the gate.

Law enforcers are assuming many injuries.

The conflict began at dusk, thus the initial cause could not be determined.

Witnesses indicate that there was a chase-counter-chase involving RU students and local residents up until the report was filed at around 8.00 p.m.

According to a witness, a student from the university's social work department got into a fight with a bus driver and helper over bus-fair.

The businessmen of the nearby Binodpur Bazar forbade the students from attacking bus staff members as the student's classmates arrived and began assaulting the bus personnel and driver.

The leaders of the Binodpur Businessmen's Association and the students engaged in fighting at one point during their disagreement, which sparked a mayhem in the RU area.

From another development, other witnessed claimed that the mayhem started centering buying shoes of a 2017-18 session student of RU in that Binodpur Bazar.

Students who were involved in the altercation reported that cops did not intervene.

Bikes were among the several vehicles that were vandalized. A top-brass RU unit Chhatra League leader's bike was also damaged.

Police sources claim that the agency is not taking action because it is trying to comprehend the entire issue and is awaiting permission from RU Proctor's Office to carry out a raid.

RU proctor Prof Ashabul Haque said that some of the injured were transferred to the university medical center and others were transported to the Rajshahi Medical College Hospital.

He said: "We're attempting to maintain control. Police officers are also at work."

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