Battlefield at Jashore University: 25 Injured in Student-Villager Clash

A major clash broke out between students of Jashore University of Science and Technology (JUST) and local villagers over the harassment of a female student.

On Tuesday evening, at least 25 university students were injured in the clash with villagers, including traders from the nearby Ambottola market.

As law enforcement arrived late, agitated students later confined the vice-chancellor and the treasurer inside the university’s medical centre at night.

Army and police personnel, along with senior officials of the local administration, arrived at the scene and attempted to calm the situation.

The university's proctor, Md Omar Faruk, said, “The clash erupted over the harassment of a female student. Our proctorial body and several faculty members tried to control the situation, but because law enforcement arrived late, matters worsened.

“A number of our students were injured in the clash. Some students later confined the VC at night.”

According to eyewitnesses, a female student from the Chemical Engineering department went to a mobile phone shop in Ambottola market for a project-related task, where the shopkeeper harassed her. When she informed her classmates, several students went to the shop to protest.

At one point, when they beat the shopkeeper, other traders and local villagers attacked the students. The situation then escalated into a full-scale clash.

At that time, a chase and counter-chase ensued between university students and locals, along with stone-throwing. The university area turned into a battlefield.

Villagers blocked the road and set fire to various objects they had gathered.

The university’s proctorial body tried but failed to bring the situation under control. The clash gradually spread.

Even after three hours of confrontation, no law enforcement agency arrived at the scene, prompting students to express anger at the university administration.

At one stage of the clash, Vice-Chancellor Abdul Majid, the treasurer, and members of the proctorial team spoke to the locals and the students. After 9pm, the army and police arrived and brought the situation under control.

Later, when the vice-chancellor, the treasurer and others visited the injured students at the university medical centre, agitated students confined them, demanding the resignation of the VC and the proctorial body.