MMCH hostel clash: Classes, exams suspended, probe committee formed

All classes and examinations at Mymensingh Medical College (MMCH) have been suspended indefinitely following a clash between two groups at the hostel. Authorities have instructed students to vacate the halls as soon as possible.

The decision was announced in a notification signed by college principal Professor Dr Md Nazmul Alam Khan after an emergency meeting of the academic council on Saturday morning, April 18. The notification stated that all classes and examinations will remain suspended for seven days following the unfortunate incident on Friday night.

A three-member investigation committee has been formed to probe the incident, with Professor Seheli Jannat Sultana as its head. The other members are Professor Shamimul Masud Ahmed and Member Secretary Professor Mohammad Rafiqul Haque. The committee has been instructed to submit its investigation report within seven working days.

Kotwali Model Police Station OC Mohammad Shibirul Islam said police arrived at the scene and brought the situation under control after receiving reports of chasing and counter-chasing. One person named Nafiu Islam has been arrested. However, no case has been filed yet.

MMCH police camp in-charge Md Nazrul Islam said among the two students injured in the clash, Md Muaz was sent to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment as his condition was critical. The other injured student, Mir Hamidur, is undergoing treatment in ward number 6 of MMCH. Both sustained serious head injuries.

According to witnesses and police sources, the clash occurred around 9:00 pm on Friday at the Baghmara student hostel between two factions of Chhatra Dal. Injured Muaz is known to be a follower of college Chhatra Dal convener Tanvir Abdullah, while Mir Hamidur is a follower of senior joint convener Nure Zawad Rutap.

OC Mohammad Shibirul Islam said an argument and scuffle broke out between Muaz and Hamidur in the latter's room over refuelling a motorcycle. At one stage, Hamidur and his associates beat Muaz and threw him out of the room. Later, when Hamidur went outside to have tea, he was struck on the head with a steel pipe. Muaz then locked himself in a room after being chased by Hamidur's associates. When his own associates came forward to rescue him, chasing and counter-chasing occurred between the two groups.