4 hurt in RU clashes

At least four students have been injured in a series of clashes between two groups at Rajshahi University, involving students from the law and finance departments.

The confrontations took place in four separate incidents, spanning from last night and today.

Google News LinkFor all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
The injured students are Nuhan, of law department student (2020-21 session); Shah Rukh Mahmud, of law department student (2017-18 session); and Shahadat and Asif, of the finance department (2020-21 session).

The clashes began on Monday night near the university's Kajla Gate and continued on Tuesday at multiple locations, including Tukitaki Chattar, the RU Medical Centre, and the return route from Rajshahi Medical College Hospital.

Witnesses reported that the conflict escalated around 12:45pm today when several finance department students were having lunch at Tukitaki Chattar. A group led by a Chhatra Dal activist, also a law department student, along with and others from the law, law and land administration, and public administration departments, allegedly attacked them. The altercation left one law and two finance department students injured.

Following the incident, Nuhan was taken to the RU Medical Center for treatment. However, another group of finance department students reportedly attacked the law students at the medical centre. While most managed to flee, Shah Rukh Mahmud was caught and beaten.

Later, around 5:00pm, finance department students returning from Rajshahi Medical College Hospital after receiving treatment were reportedly attacked again while inside an ambulance.

Sources indicated that the two groups had long-standing tensions stemming from prior disputes, which likely contributed to the clashes.

In a separate incident last night, former Chhatra League activist and law department student Sadhan Mukherjee (2017-18 session) was attacked near Kajla Gate allegedly by finance department students. They alleged that Sadhan had previously assaulted some of their peers during an iftar gathering, fueling the recent violence.

RU Proctor Mahbubur Rahman said, "The clashes appear to have stemmed from unresolved tensions related to past incidents, including the alleged iftar altercation. Although the initial dispute began with verbal arguments, it escalated into physical violence both last night and again today. Regardless of the cause, the occurrence of violence on campus is deeply regrettable."

He added, "A third clash took place at the RU Medical Center, where I was personally present, allowing us to contain the situation quickly. An investigation is already underway, and we have ensured the injured students were safely escorted to their dormitories. Law enforcement has been instructed to act impartially, without regard for political affiliations. Strict disciplinary action will be taken against those involved in any further incidents."

Attempts to reach department heads for comment were unsuccessful. Both Professor Shibli Sadique, chair of the finance department, and Professor Saeeda Anju, chair of the law department, hung up upon learning that the inquiries were from journalists.

Efforts to contact the students involved were also unsuccessful.

The clashes have raised concerns about campus safety and the need for conflict resolution mechanisms at RU.