A four-hour-long series of running clashes took place between activists of Chhatra Dal and Chhatra Shibir over establishing dominance at Gobindaganj Abdul Haque Smriti Degree College in Chhatak Upazila, Sunamganj.

During the unrest, a Jamaat-e-Islami union office, a petrol pump owned by a BNP leader, and several shops and vehicles were vandalized. Allegations have also surfaced that three journalists were harassed by Shibir activists while attempting to cover the incident.

Mizanur Rahman, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Chhatak Police Station, stated that the incident occurred in the Gobindaganj area between 12:00 PM and 4:00 PM on Thursday.

He added that the situation is now calm following the clashes, and police have been deployed in the area.

Police and eyewitnesses reported that an orientation program for newly admitted first-year students began at Gobindaganj Abdul Haque Smriti Degree College in the morning. Around 12:00 PM, following the orientation, Chhatra Dal activists prepared to march towards Gobindaganj Point to welcome the newcomers and stage an anti-sabotage rally.

At that time, Chhatra Shibir activists obstructed them. An altercation ensued, escalating into running clashes between the two groups. Subsequently, both factions moved out of the campus, took positions on the Sunamganj-Sylhet and Gobindaganj roads, and began protesting by burning tires; indigenous weapons were seen in their possession.

Repeated clashes broke out between the two groups during this period. Amidst the four-hour-long confrontation, Chhatra Shibir activists vandalized a petrol pump owned by BNP leader Ruhul Amin. In retaliation, Chhatra Dal activists vandalized the Syedgaon Union office of Jamaat-e-Islami. Several shops and vehicles were also damaged during the violence.

As tension and panic spread across the area, many business owners closed their shops and left, and traffic on the roads came to a halt. Upon receiving the news, police arrived and brought the situation under control. Allegations have surfaced that local journalists Moshahid Ali, AR Sayem, and Lokman Ahmad were harassed by Chhatra Shibir activists while attempting to cover the incident. Additionally, several activists from both Chhatra Dal and Chhatra Shibir were injured during the ensuing chase and counter-chase.

Moshahid Ali, the Chhatak Upazila correspondent for the daily *Amar Sangbad*, said, "When we tried to take photos of armed Chhatra Shibir members, they attempted to snatch our mobile phones and harassed us. Their leaders witnessed the incident as well."

Juned Ahmad, President of the Gobindaganj College unit of Chhatra Shibir, stated, "We were welcoming newcomers with an education-friendly program. Chhatra Dal attacked our peaceful event because of this. They want to turn the campus into an arms depot; we will not allow that to happen."

Mahbub Ahmed, Convener of the Chhatak Upazila Chhatra Dal, said, "After the orientation program, we were preparing to leave the campus with an anti-subversion procession. At that time, Chhatra Shibir obstructed our procession and made derogatory remarks about the Prime Minister.

"When our activists protested this, they launched an attack. At one point, Shibir activists took to the streets with local weapons, vandalizing vehicles and shops. They also vandalized and looted a petrol pump owned by a BNP leader."

Hafiz Zakir Hossain, Secretary of the Chhatak Upazila Jamaat, said, "Chhatra Dal beat up our activists. Several of our members, including College Shibir Secretary Mahfuz and Upazila Shibir Secretary Naim, were injured.

"They vandalized our Union Jamaat office. We are currently occupied with the medical treatment of the injured activists and will take legal action later."

Alleging that Chhatra Shibir intends to turn Gobindaganj College into a stronghold, Sunamganj District Chhatra Dal President Mohammad Tarek Mia said, "Shibir wants to seize the campus by holding general students hostage and instigate anarchy and sabotage.

"That is why they attacked Chhatra Dal's peaceful program and made derogatory remarks about the Prime Minister. We will respond to their reign of terror on the streets." Sabibur Rahman Moti, Principal of Gobindaganj Abdul Haque Degree College, stated that no untoward incident took place inside the campus; however, a chase and counter-chase occurred outside.

Jhalak Mohanta, Inspector (Investigation) of Chhatak Police Station, said that police arrived at the scene after receiving a report around midday and brought the situation under control.

Source: bdnews24