The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

At least nine students and the Provost of Zahurul Haque Hall were injured in a clash between Bangladesh Chhatra League and Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal at the Sergeant Zahurul Haque Hall playground on the Dhaka University campus yesterday.

The clash occurred after a quarrel between the leaders and activists of the rival student groups over a football match, which was played between JCD hall unit and central unit.

Provost of the hall Prof Dr Zahidul Islam said, "Two groups of JCD students wanted to play a friendship football match at the playground of the hall by taking my permission. But the BCL leaders of the hall complained, the JCD members were here for a showdown by bringing outsiders to the hall."

"At one stage BCL and JCD got involved in a clash . I was injured while I tried age to disengage them from battle," he said.

Six students of the BCL and three of the JCD were injured. The injured are BCL activists Shamsul Kabir Rahat, 4th year, Mizanur Rahman Rubel, 3rd year, Ashraf Ali, MSS, Mazhar 3rd year, Nayan, 3rd year, Saqline, 3rd year and JCD activists Rokonuzzaman 3rd year student of Zia Hall, Shahazada and Faisal 4th year students of Zahurul Haque Hall.

The incident triggered tension between members of the two student organisations in Jagannath Hall and Ziaur Rahman Hall. Sources said activists of the two student organisations took position in different halls. Police were deployed at the Zia Hall.

The Vice Chancellor of the university Prof SMA Faiz visited the hall and asked the provost to take steps to maintain peace in the hall. Proctor AK Firoz Ahmed was with him .

He said an inquiry committee would be formed to investigate the matter, and police would be deployed at the hall gate to ensure peaceful atmosphere on the campus.

Injured activist of BCL Rahat said, they were trying to know from the provost if the JCD members had taken any permission to play in the hall ground.

"We told the provost the JCD were here for a showdown and when we were talking with him JCD activists attacked us and beat us in front of our provost," said Rahat.

He alleged that the JCD activists had snatched his mobile phone from him.

Dr Zahid accused BCL members of interfering intentionally with a political motive in into what he called a peaceful football match.

"The BCL activists interfered in the match intentionally to give some political colour and create an issue," he said. He assured that he would ensure peace in the hall through co-existence of both the students groups in the hall.

The JCD leaders said they were playing on the ground after taking permission of the hall administration and BCL activists did not have any authority to challenge them.

Mizanur Rahman Shohag, Law Secretary of DU unit JCD said, "We were playing a friendly football match between senior and junior leaders of our organisation. The BCL activists behaved roughly with the provost charging him as to why he gave permission without consulting them."

"Then we resisted them with the help of the general students," he said.

Top leaders of both student wings said they had told their activists to remain calm on the campus.