More than 200 Rajshahi University students, including campus journalists, were injured in a clash that broke out between students, and locals over bus seats on Saturday.
The incident took place near the Binodpur gate of the university on Saturday, confirmed Prof Sultan Ul Islam, Pro-Vice Chancellor of the university.
At least 10 campus journalists were reportedly injured while covering the incident.
The injured are now receiving treatment at Rajshahi University Medical Center and Rajshahi Medical College and Hospital.
Witnesses said that Akash, a student of the 2017-18 session of the Social Work Department of the university, was coming to Rajshahi by bus from Bogra. Akash talked to the bus driver, and assistant about the seats, but an argument took place between them.
When the bus reached the Binodpur area of the university, they again got involved in an argument, and that led to a clash afterward.
Later, a local shopkeeper came and got into an argument with the students. At that point, another clash broke out between the parties.
During the clash, the students set fire to several shops and the police box at Binodpur gate.
On information, police rushed to the spot and lobbed tear gas shells to disperse them. Later, more than 20 students were shot with rubber bullets and sent to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital at around 11 pm.
In this regard, RU Proctor Professor Asabul Haque said: “We are trying to control the situation. Law enforcement is also working right now.”
7 platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) have been deployed in the Binodpur area.
Meanwhile, some agitating students went to the Fine Arts faculty area to blockade the Rajshahi-Dhaka rail line. Dhaka going ‘Dhumketu Express’ did not leave Rajshahi station which was scheduled at 11.20 pm. RU students also staged a demonstration in front of the administration building of the university at 10 am on Sunday protesting the previous night incident.
The students placed 6 point demands including justice for the incident, stop the entry of outsiders in the university and ensure the safety of the students, make the university hundred percent residential, ensure proper treatment of the injured students, take necessary measures within 24 hours of the incident and ensure student representation in deciding various policies of the university.
The university authority suspended all classes and exams for the next two days following the clash.
