Google Alert – Bangladesh Army
At least 10 people were injured, including key protest leader Mohiuddin Roni, in a violent clash between two factions involved in the ongoing movement demanding reforms in the health sector.
The incident took place around 10pm on Sunday at Government Brojomohun College, Barishal.
Of the injured, five were admitted to Barishal Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital in serious condition.
Among the injured, four were identified as Mostafizur Rahman, Rafi, Sifat, and Suhan.
According to eyewitnesses, police, and those involved in the incident, the clash stemmed from a previous altercation between two student groups in Barishal’s Nathullabad area earlier in the day.
The conflict, reportedly involving senior-junior tensions and a dispute over smoking, included participation from female leaders of the anti-discrimination student movement.
Army attempted to control the situation in Nathullabad using batons, but tensions persisted.
In an effort to mediate the growing rift and prevent disruption to the health reform movement, student leaders arranged a meeting between the two groups on the BM College campus Sunday night. However, the mediation attempt escalated into a violent confrontation.
Mohiuddin Roni, however, claimed the clash was a deliberate attempt by one group to sabotage the movement. “We were attacked,” he said, without naming any specific group behind the violence.
Sabbir Hossain, former convener of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement in Barishal, confirmed that the confrontation originated from the Nathullabad incident and primarily involved issues between seniors and juniors.
He also confirmed the hospitalisation of five seriously injured individuals.
Brigadier General AKM Moshiul Munir, director of Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital, said that none of the injured were in life-threatening condition.
Mizanur Rahman, officer-in-charge of Kotwali Model Police Station, said police could not intervene on campus due to lack of administrative permission.
“An investigation is currently underway in both the hospital and the campus area,” he added.
Repeated attempts to contact BM College Principal Professor Dr. Sheikh Tajul Islam for a statement were unsuccessful as he did not respond to phone calls.