At least 30 students sustained injuries in a clash between rival groups of the Bangladesh Chhatra League, associate organisation of the Awami League, at Jahangirnagar University over capture of halls of residence on Friday.
   The clash erupted at around midday when activists of the group led by the BCL’s university unit president and secretary from Bangabandhu Hall and Bhasani Hall stormed Kamaluddin Hall brandishing iron rods, machetes and firearms.
   In retaliation, the rebel faction of the BCL from three other halls, attacked Kamaluddin Hall with the help of the activists of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, associate organisation of the BNP, and took position in between Bangabandhu Hall and Kamaluddin Hall.
   The feuding groups traded at least 25 rounds of gunshot during the clash which continued for two hours and a half before the police arrived. Twenty activists of both groups were taken to hospital with slight injuries and given first aid. Ten general students also sustained injuries. No gunshot injuries were reported.
   At around 2:00pm, police arrived and quickly formed a cordon between the two groups. The police fired dozens of tear gas canisters to disperse the groups who continued firing at each other in the presence of the law enforcers.
   A 500-strong police force has been deployed on the campus to bring the situation under control. The clash stopped at around 2:30pm but the rival factions were reportedly regrouping.
   The university proctor, Nasir Uddin and some other teachers tried to mediate between the groups but effort went in vain.
   Naser Mahmud Jony, general secretary of Chhatra League’s Jahangirnagar University unit, told New Age, ‘We want a congenial atmosphere on the campus’, and accused the rival faction, which he branded ‘Jatiyatabadi Chhatra League’ [Chhatra League backed by Chhatra Dal], of fomenting trouble.
   Earlier on Wednesday, the BCL faction led by its JU unit president and secretary, stormed and seized control of Kamaluddin Hall ousting their rivals. Immediately they were joined by BCL activists from Salam-Barkat Hall.
   On Thursday, Chhatra League activists at Al-Beruni Hall and Mir Mosharraf Hossain Hall expressed their allegiance to the main faction.
   Activists of the BCL’s rebel group drove the main faction out of the halls of residence on January 10, 2008.

Source: New Age