Shibir and JCD trade blame after scuffles at DU’s Shahidullah Hall

At least two people were injured after supporters of Islami Chhatra Shibir and Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) engaged in a series of scuffles at Dhaka University's Dr Muhammad Shahidullah Hall today, with each side accusing the other of disrupting an investigation committee meeting and triggering the violence.

The clash broke out around noon inside and outside the hall provost's office, where an investigation committee was holding a meeting over allegations that two guests staying in the room of Hall Union Assistant General Secretary (AGS) Ibrahim Khalil had engaged in homosexual activity, according to witnesses.

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Both organisations accused the other of entering the meeting and instigating the confrontation.

Toukir Hasan, general secretary of the Shahidullah Hall Union and publication secretary of Shibir's Dhaka University unit, alleged that two JCD leaders entered the investigation committee meeting.

"After learning this, Shibir activists gathered in front of the provost's office. Later, JCD activists falsely accused Shibir members of taking their photographs, which led to the scuffle," he told this correspondent.

He alleged that one Shibir activist was kicked onto a sofa and beaten by JCD activists.

"We later took shelter inside the provost's office, but we were also attacked there in front of several house tutors," he claimed.

Shibir claimed that six to seven of its activists were assaulted.

However, Mosaddik Al Haque Shanto, convener of JCD's Shahidullah Hall unit, rejected the allegations and blamed Shibir for the violence.

"Shibir leaders entered the meeting room first. JCD activists then went there to protest," he said.

"Shibir activists also gathered there and both sides started shouting at each other. It eventually turned into a scuffle, in which two JCD leaders were attacked," he added.

JCD said two of its activists were injured in the clash.

Speaking to reporters, Dhaka University Proctor Md Israfil Ratan said a brief tension had arisen between the two groups at the hall.

"After the hall provost informed us of the incident, we immediately sent a mobile team comprising assistant proctors to the spot," he said.

"We are not the police, but we mediated between the two sides and managed to largely calm the situation. As far as I know, an investigation into the incident is currently underway," the proctor added.

Despite repeated attempts, Dr Muhammad Shahidullah Hall Provost Md Aminul Islam Bhuiyan could not be reached for comments.