13 injured in Kaptai Sweden polytechnic clash, probe committee formed

A clash between two groups of students at Bangladesh Sweden Polytechnic Institute in Kaptai, Rangamati, has left 13 students injured. The altercation, which took place on Friday night, was sparked by a regional forum and a status posted on mobile phones. Four of the injured are currently undergoing treatment at Chattogram Medical College Hospital.

The incident began around 10:30pm on Friday with an argument between two groups of students at the institute's hostel. The situation escalated out of control, leading to a clash that continued in phases until midnight.

The injured students are Hossain Nur Abid, Mostafa Obaidul, Takpir Habib, Arafat Abib, Imran, Abdullah Al Tawsif Abid, Al Amin, Aditya Roy, Md Hasan Khondkar, Meherab Hossain Hira, Mostakin, Tarek Hossain and Zahid. They are students from various departments of the institute.

After the incident, BSPI authorities took the injured students to Chattogram Medical College Hospital around 1am. Institute Acting Principal Jahangir Hossain said nine of the injured have returned after receiving first aid, while four remain hospitalised. He visited the hospital on Saturday to check on the injured students.

Kaptai Police Station rushed to the scene and brought the situation under control. Kaptai Police Station Officer-in-Charge Sheikh Mahmudul Hasan Rubel said the situation is now normal. Security and vigilance have been increased on campus following the incident. The institute authorities have formed a seven-member investigation committee to identify the cause and those responsible, with Engineer Rahmat Ullah, head of the Automobile Department, as its convener.

Institute Hostel Superintendent Abdul Mannan said the incident was triggered by two regional forums and a status posted on mobile phones. The campus situation is currently calm. As the institute's semester final examinations are ongoing, authorities remain on alert to prevent any further untoward incidents. The institute authorities said departmental action will be taken against those responsible after receiving the investigation report.