More Than 50 Injured in Worker–Student Clash in Barishal

A clash has occurred between students and bus workers in Barishal over the refusal to allow half fare. Workers claimed that more than fifty buses were vandalized during the incident. At least 60 people from both sides were reportedly injured during the clash.

The clash took place in several phases around 7 p.m. on Saturday (15 November) at the Barishal Central Nathullabad Bus Terminal. The chase and counter-chase between the two groups continued for nearly two hours. After vandalism and setting fires on the road, law enforcement took control of the situation around 9 p.m.

According to local and eyewitness sources, students gathered at the Nathullabad stand alleging that a student had been physically assaulted by bus workers after asking to pay half fare while traveling from Muladi to Barishal city. At that time, a clash broke out between the workers and the students. During the clash, buses were vandalized and fires were set on the road. After nearly two hours, a large number of law enforcement personnel arrived at the scene and brought the situation under control.

Several students of BM College who were present at the scene said, “Half fare is our right. On Saturday, while coming from Muladi to Barishal city, a student asked to pay half fare and was physically assaulted by bus workers. Upon hearing the news, we gathered at the Nathullabad stand to demand justice from the workers. At that time, bus workers attacked us. As a result, 20 to 25 students were injured.”

However, the workers denied any allegations of assault. Transport workers’ leader Arju Mridha said, “Even on the college holiday, a dispute arose between a student on the Barishal–Muladi route and bus workers over half fare. Later in the evening, several hundred BM College students came and vandalized more than fifty buses standing at the Nathullabad stand. They beat 15 to 20 workers present there, leaving them seriously injured.”

Barishal Airport Police Station OC Mamun ul Islam said that several phases of clashes occurred between the workers and students. Later, law enforcement brought the situation under control. Details will be provided later.