Fresh clashes and attacks broke out between students of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Bangla departments at Islamic University (IU) shortly after a formal reconciliation meeting held over a previous altercation on a university bus ended.
On Wednesday afternoon (September 30), right after descending from the Proctor’s Office where both factions had concluded a compromise meeting, students from both departments re-engaged in violent, repeated clashes.
At least seven people—including the Proctor, an Assistant Proctor, the Chairman of the ICT Department, a teacher from the Bangla Department, and several students—were injured during the second wave of violence.
Abu Sayeed, a severely injured student from the 2021–22 academic session of the ICT Department, lost consciousness during the clash and was rushed to the hospital in critical condition by rescuers.
The incident originated on Tuesday (September 29) around 2:00 PM aboard the Kushtia-bound university bus ‘Godhuli’, where a scuffle broke out between Hridoy, a 2022–23 session student of the Bangla Department, and Abu Sayeed over talking loudly.
Following Tuesday’s scuffle, a meeting was convened at the Proctor’s Office on Wednesday morning featuring Proctor Professor Dr. Shahinuzzaman, assistant proctors, department chairs, and student representatives. The session resulted in an unconditional apology and a three-point resolution aimed at settling the dispute.
However, immediately after leaving the Proctor’s Office upon concluding the meeting, students from the Bangla Department allegedly launched a surprise attack on the ICT students, which rapidly escalated into a violent melee.
As news of the flare-up spread, aggrieved ICT students blocked the main gate of the university and staged a sit-in demonstration, demanding the permanent expulsion of those involved.
Addressing the volatile situation, IU Proctor Professor Dr. Shahinuzzaman stated that strict, exemplary legal and administrative action would be taken against the guilty students in the shortest possible time.
