Clash at BU leaves 10 injured, police deployed

A clash broke out between students of two departments at Barishal University over a football match, leaving at least ten injured.

The incident occurred around 7 pm on Friday (12 September) on the Barishal-Bhola highway adjacent to the university campus.

Eyewitnesses said the match was held at the field beside the newly constructed BITAC building between students of Accounting and Information Systems and Marketing departments. During the game, an altercation took place between a group of students from the 12th batch of Accounting and a senior from the 10th batch of Marketing.

The 12th batch students forced the senior to apologise. After he informed his batch group, several Marketing students rushed to the field in protest and were attacked. Three were injured, with two admitted to Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital.

As the news spread, Marketing students gathered in front of Gate No. 1, while Accounting and Information Systems students assembled at the BITAC building. The two sides then clashed.

The confrontation lasted for about an hour before teachers and members of the proctorial body intervened. Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Toufiq Alam was also jostled while trying to calm the situation. Although teachers managed to restore order, tensions remain on campus. Police have been deployed outside.

Injured Marketing student Mostaq Ahmed from the 10th batch said: “We rushed to the spot after receiving a group message and saw Faisal being beaten. When I tried to intervene, Accounting students surrounded me as well. I managed to escape by running.”

Students of the Accounting and Information Systems department declined to comment.

Proctor Associate Professor Dr Rahat Hossain Faisal said: “The clash occurred over a football match. Several students from both sides were injured. We are working to resolve the matter and will sit with them on Saturday.”