Clash between Chhatra Dal, Shibir in Ishwardi

A clash broke out between activists of Bangladesh Jatiotabadi Chhatra Dal and Islami Chhatra Shibir at Ishwardi Government College in Pabna’s Ishwardi, leaving several people injured and resulting in the vandalism of a temporary office.

The incident occurred on the college campus. Witnesses said crude bombs (cocktails) were also detonated during the clash, creating panic in the area around 11:30am on Thursday.

Ishwardi Upazila Chhatra Shibir President Sajib Hasan said, we had a pre-planned protest program at Ishwardi Government College. For this, we took permission from the college authorities and sought cooperation from the police administration. When we took a procession from Bakul intersection to the gate of Ishwardi Government College around 11:30, Chhatra Dal leaders and activists threw bricks and stones at us. Later, a chase and counter-chase took place between the two parties.

Regarding the vandalism of the Chhatra Dal office, the Upazila Shibir President said, we do not know who or what vandalized the Chhatra Dal office.

In this regard, Ishwardi Government College Chhatra Dal Vice-President Imran Hossain Khan said, around 11:30 in the morning, the Chhatra Dal leaders and activists of the college were staying peacefully. Suddenly, 100-150 Shibir activists entered the college campus with outsiders by exploding cocktails. Then they beat up Chhatra Dal leaders and activists in the college premises and created panic by exploding cocktails. At that time, a temporary Chhatra Dal office in front of the college gate was vandalized by Shibir leaders and activists.

Md. Afzal Hossain, in-charge of Ambagan police outpost in Iswardi town, said the situation is now normal. Both sides have left the college campus. Additional police have been deployed at the scene.