Over 100 injured as JCD-Shibir violence rocks four campuses

More than 100 people were injured as clashes, attacks and repeated chases between rival student groups left four educational institutions in Dhaka and outside the capital gripped by violence throughout Tuesday.

The unrest affected Jagannath University, Dhaka College, Government Madrasa-e-Alia, BM College in Barishal and, following overnight clashes, Begum Rokeya University in Rangpur. Additional police were deployed at several locations to restore order.

The most serious violence occurred at Jagannath University, where repeated clashes broke out between activists of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, Islami Chhatra Shibir and Chhatra Shakti over access to a seminar marking the second anniversary of the July Uprising.

At least 70 people were injured, with several admitted to National Medical Institute Hospital in Dhaka. A number of journalists were also among the injured.

Following the campus clashes, allegations emerged that activists from Chhatra Shibir and Chhatra Shakti were attacked while receiving treatment in the emergency department of National Medical Institute Hospital.

The incident sparked fresh tensions in and around the hospital, prompting the deployment of additional police.

By evening, security forces remained on high alert around the hospital, Kabi Nazrul College and Jagannath University.

Jagannath University authorities have formed a four-member committee to investigate the incident. At an emergency press conference, the university's vice-chancellor urged all parties to remain calm.

Fresh clashes also broke out at Dhaka College in the afternoon, where activists of Chhatra Dal and Islami Chhatra Shibir confronted each other, leaving several people from both sides injured.

Violence also spread to Government Madrasa-e-Alia in Bakshibazar, where clashes between Chhatra Dal and Chhatra Shibir left seven people hospitalised at Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

Those injured included the institution's principal, Mahmud Obaidul Haque, several leaders of Chhatra Dal and Jubo Dal, and a journalist.

Meanwhile, tensions persisted at Begum Rokeya University after Monday night's clashes over the display of photographs of alleged war criminals at an exhibition titled "July Against Oppression".

On Tuesday, Shibir activists gathered at Carmichael College, while activists of Chhatra Dal, Jubo Dal and the BNP held a separate programme outside the university campus.

A separate clash also created unrest at BM College in Barishal.

Following the day's violence, law enforcement agencies maintained heightened security across the affected campuses, deploying additional police personnel to prevent further unrest.