The New Nation - Internet Edition

Chittagong Correspondent

At least 21 activists of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL and Islami Chhatra Shibir (ICS) were injured in a series of clashes between the workers of the two groups on the Chittagong University campus yesterday.

Leaders of Bangladesh Chhatra League is (BCL) claimed that nine of their workers were wounded during the clash while the Islami Chhatra Shibir (ICS) said nine of their activists have sustained injuries.

The unruly ICS activists also assaulted Mohiuddin Jewel, the CU correspondent of the Daily Prothom Alo, when he came to the troubled spot at the university Railway Station for performing professional duty, eye witnesses said.

The university authorities have formed a three-member probe body to investigate the causes of the clashes and also identify the people involved in it. The probe body has been asked to submit its report by Tuesday next.

Professor Abdus Salam of Chemistry Department has been made head of the probe body while provost of AF Rahman Hall Professor Dr. Mokhtar Ahmed and provost of Shamsunnahar Hall Professor Kamrul Islam will assist the body.

Sources quoting the eye-account said that the clash ensued when a section of the ICS workers chased a gathering of the BCL supporters at the university railway station at about 2:40 p.m.

The BCL workers had been protesting expulsion of four of its activists. It had also a plan to hold a rally there to mark the National Mourning Day.

The BCL workers immediately went on counter attack by pelting stones and using weapons. The clashes left 21 workers of the feuding groups injured.

The clashes gripped the general students with panic forcing many of them to flee the campus or take safe shelter within the campus.

Though the law enforcers in their first attempt managed to disperse the quarrelling students and compelled them to leave the spot the warring students were locked into clashes again at night.

Acting President of the BCL at Chittagong University Jamashed Hossain claimed that the ICS men damaged several cottages of their workers apart from assaulting some BCL supporters last night. A restaurant reportedly owned by a worker of the BCL was also ransacked.

Six of the injured students were admitted to university hospital while four others received first aid.

The BCL workers later stopped a city bound train at the university rail station.

ICS is also stated to be taking preparation to file cases against BCL workers with the police.

The officers of the law enforcing agencies held a meeting with the CU Vice-Chancellor and discussed measures to restore peace on the campus.

Meanwhile, four activists of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) have been expelled from Chittagong University for one year on charges of creating chaos aboard a university train and damaging its coaches.

The expulsion order was issued at an emergency meeting of the university syndicate chaired by Vice-Chancxellor of the CU Univesity Prof. M Bodiul Alam.

The four expelled students are Mohammad Nuruzzaman of Accounting and Information System, Shahidul Islam of Mathematics Department, Sheikh Mohammad Shayet of Management Department and Alamgir Tipu of Economics Department.

The disciplinary committee of the university had earlier recommended tougher action against 22 students including the four the expelled ones.

Eight other students involved in the incidents of similar nature had signed surety bonds pledging good conduct in future. The university authorities also warned ten other students for the same offence.