ছবি: Photo: Collected
Violent clashes erupted at Khulna University of Engineering & Technology (KUET) as tensions over the demand to ban student politics led to repeated confrontations between Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) activists and general students. The conflict, which began on campus, later spread to nearby areas, including Railgate and Teligati, turning the university and its surroundings into a battlefield. The hour-long violence left over fifty people injured, including a professor. Injured individuals received treatment at the KUET medical center, Khulna Medical College Hospital, and private clinics. Meanwhile, security forces took position outside the campus in the evening to prevent further escalation.
Eyewitnesses reported that discussions about the formation of a JCD committee had sparked widespread reactions in various student messaging groups over the past few days. On Monday, JCD activists distributed leaflets on campus, leading to increased tensions. On Tuesday morning, general students surrounded the Vice Chancellor’s office to demand a ban on student politics, resulting in a heated argument with JCD members. Around noon, members of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and general students took out a procession inside the campus, chanting slogans such as “No Student Politics at KUET,” “We Demand a Politics-Free Campus,” and “No Space for Student Politics Here.” As they marched past the student dormitories, tensions flared when they reached the central mosque, where JCD activists countered their chants, calling them “fake” protesters. The situation quickly escalated, leading to a chase between the two groups.
By 2 PM, tensions reached a peak when BNP-affiliated outsiders allegedly assaulted a student near the KUET pocket gate, severely injuring him. The incident infuriated general students, prompting them to unite with the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and launch a counterattack against JCD activists. As the clashes intensified, BNP activists from nearby Railgate and Teligati areas joined forces with JCD members, turning the conflict into a large-scale violent confrontation that lasted until 5 PM.
Among the injured were KUET Physics Department professor Abdullah Elias, Khan Jahan Ali police station officer-in-charge (OC) Md. Kabir Hossain, students Akherul Islam and Tanvir Haider, along with Anti-Discrimination Student Movement leaders Jahidul Islam, district convenor Tasnim Ahmed, and senior joint secretary Ratul.
KUET student Rahatul Islam stated that when students approached the Vice Chancellor with their demand to ban student politics, JCD members threatened them and harassed their seniors. As they left the Vice Chancellor’s office, JCD activists allegedly launched an unprovoked attack. He added that general students retaliated and forced JCD members out of the campus, only for them to regroup with BNP members and stage another assault, causing significant injuries to many students.
Mirajul Islam Imon, spokesperson of the Khulna District Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, accused JCD activists of spilling students' blood without provocation. He claimed that JCD members used machetes to attack movement secretary Jahidul Islam and smashed the legs of district convenor Tasnim and joint secretary Ratul with bricks.
Former Khulna Metropolitan JCD convenor Ishtiaq Ahmed Ishti countered these allegations, stating that members of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and Jamaat-e-Islami-backed Islami Chhatra Shibir first launched a surprise attack on general students. He alleged that when JCD activists intervened to protect the students, they too were assaulted. Ishti further claimed that the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement is now infiltrated by Chhatra League activists.
In response, Khulna Metropolitan Chhatra Shibir president Arafat Hossain Milon dismissed Ishti’s accusations as baseless, stating that Shibir had no involvement in the KUET clashes. He claimed that their organization had been occupied with a Jamaat-e-Islami program at Shaheed Hadis Park throughout the day. However, he condemned the attack on general students by JCD and BNP activists and called for justice against the perpetrators.
KUET Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Mohammad Masud, speaking at 7:30 PM, said that he was at the university medical center checking on the injured students. He acknowledged that the situation remained tense on campus.
Khan Jahan Ali police station OC Md. Kabir Hossain, in a statement at 7:15 PM, confirmed that the situation was currently under control.
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