Dhaka, July 16 (V7N) – Jahangirnagar University (JU) witnessed a night of violence and chaos as quota reform activists faced brutal attacks by the university's Chhatra League unit. Despite the violence, the protesters managed to find some respite by the end of the ordeal.
The campus was tense throughout Monday, with Chhatra League activists bringing in outsiders, leading to clashes with general students and police, turning the university into a battlefield.
Over 50 people, including a teacher, were injured when Chhatra League members attacked a gathering of quota reform protesters in the evening. The injured teacher, Professor Awalad Hossain of the Chemistry Department, and the injured students were treated at the university's medical center.
The violence began around 6:30 PM when protesters marched from the university library. As they reached Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman residential hall, Chhatra League activists led by University unit President Aktaruzzaman Sohel and General Secretary Habibur Rahman Liton attacked them, injuring several students, including females.
Fearing further attacks, the quota reform activists sought refuge near the Vice Chancellor's residence. However, around midnight, over 150 Chhatra League members and outsiders, armed with sharp weapons and petrol bombs, assaulted the students. The attackers continued their assault even as the students took shelter inside the Vice Chancellor's residence.
Police intervention briefly pushed back the attackers, but by 1:45 AM, the Chhatra League members broke through the gate, throwing petrol bombs and causing damage inside the residence. Despite the Vice Chancellor being present, the violence persisted.
Around 3 AM, hundreds of students from various halls marched to the Vice Chancellor's residence, successfully driving away the Chhatra League attackers. The situation escalated as the enraged students clashed with police, who used tear gas to disperse the crowd.
Earlier in the evening, under the banner of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, students held a procession from the central library. They were attacked near the Bat Tala area, resulting in over fifty injuries. By 8:30 PM, the activists had gathered in front of the Vice Chancellor's residence, demanding justice and the expulsion of illegal students from the halls.
END/JUC/SMA/
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