The New Nation - Internet Edition

RU Correspondent

The syndicate of the Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology (RUET) on Thursday suspended all classes and examinations for an indefinite period following clashes between activists of Bangladesh Chhatra league (BCL) and Islami Chhatra Shibir (ICS) in the early hours of Thursday.

Tension gripped the RUET campus as the BCL activists drove away activists of ICS from their hall rooms.

Twelve activists of ICS and three of BCL were seriously injured in the incident that followed .

BCL activists also occupied the rooms of the Shibir men in all the dormitories of RUET.

University Sources said a group of BCL activists led by Al-Amin, Nazmul and Roni first raided Shaheed Salim Hall and forced the Shibir occupants to vacate their rooms.

They also threw out books, bedding and clothes of the Shibir activists and took control of the rooms.They also allegedly beat up Shibir RUET unit president Tabiur Rahman and general secretary Zahidul Islam with iron rods, bamboo sticks and hockey sticks during the raid.BCL activists also ransacked different rooms of Salim hall and drove away Shibir men from Shahidullah and Shaheed Ziaur Rahman halls and ransacked their different rooms, the sources added.

As the news of violence spread over the campus, supporters of both the groups organised themselves and were locked into a clash that continued for long two hours.

BCL activists took position behind Salim Hall while Shibir men with a large number of outsiders gathered in front of Zia Hall.

Both the groups used sharp weapons, brickbats, wood sticks and iron rods during the clash.

As the situation deteriorated members of police and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) rushed to the campus and took control of the halls as well as the campus.

Later, Police and RAB jointly raided Shaheed Salim and Shaheed Ziaur Rahman halls separately to flush out the outsiders, but they found no outsiders and arms during the drive.

BCL leaders alleged that the police did not raid the Shibir cadres' rooms during the drive.

Ten other shibir activists Rabiul Islam, Masum, Zulian, Rakib, Shafik, Zaharul, Rabbani, Novel, Rubel and Rafik were also injured in the clash.

The three BCL activists who sustained injuries were identified as Shadi, Konol and Setu.

All the injured were sent to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH) for treatment.

Later addressing a rally, Shibir leaders called on the RUET authorities to close the university immediately and ensure security of Shibir men on the campus.

BCL leader Asif told the reporters that their activists resisted Shibir cadres on the campus as they staged an armed showdown with the help of many outsiders.

Assistant Commissioner of Police of Motiher Zone Jahangir Hossain said additional police were deployed on the RUET campus to avoid further clashes.

When contacted, RUET Vice- Chancellor Prof Dr Fazlul Bari told reporters that RUET authorities took all security measures to keep educational atmosphere smooth.

According to another report ,two residential hostels of Rajshahi Medical College (RMC) were raided in the early hours of Thursday following what is said repeated demand from Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) of RMC unit.

Hostel supers, college teachers and high police officials took part in the raid of Shaheed Shah Mainul Ahsan Pinku Hostel and Shaheed Kazi Nurunnabi Hostel on Thursday.

Assistant police commissioner of Boalia zone Humayun Kabir said they assisted the college authorities in raiding the hostels.

Earlier on December 3, the college authorities closed the Rajshahi Medical College for an indefinite period in the wake of clash between the activists of the Bangladesh Chhatra League and Islami Chhatra Shibir over capturing a hostel seat.

The college was reopened on January 05.