Clash and Vandalism at Barisal University Over Allegations of Harassing Female Student
A violent clash involving chases and counter-chases has broken out between students of the Bengali and Chemistry departments at Barisal University (BU) following allegations of harassing a female student. During the incident, a local woman’s shop located nearby was vandalized. The confrontation took place around 3:00 PM on Saturday in front of the university’s Gate No. 3.
At one stage, the Vice-Chancellor and the Proctor arrived at the scene to calm the students of both departments. They assured a fair trial following a thorough investigation into the matter.
According to students from both departments, allegations arose that Sifat, a student of the 11th batch of the Bengali Department, physically harassed a female student of the 14th batch of the Chemistry Department at Anandabazar, adjacent to the university, around 8:30 PM on Friday. Subsequently, claims surfaced that 4–5 students from the Chemistry Department attacked Sifat with a hammer at around 10:00 AM today.
While the Chemistry students denied the hammer attack, both groups met at 3:00 PM to resolve the issue. However, a clash and chase-counter-chase ensued during the meeting.
The accused student, Sifat, stated, "Baseless allegations are being made that I pushed a female student at Anandabazar last night. No such incident happened, and they have no proof." He further alleged that 4–5 students took him behind the Shaheed Minar at 10:00 AM and struck him on the head and back with a hammer. "I demand justice for the attack on me and the Bengali department students," he added.
Eyewitnesses reported that as the two groups sat down to resolve the harassment claim, an argument broke out. As tension spread, students engaged in shoving and chasing. During the chaos, they broke into a tea stall belonging to a woman named Nashima Begum to secure sticks to strike each other. Several students from both departments sustained injuries.
Nashima Begum, the shop owner, lamented, "My shop was burglarized last Thursday night. Today, my shop was vandalized again. I am a helpless person; I demand that my shop be repaired."
Sajjad, a student of the Bengali Department, claimed that Chemistry students threatened them and launched a sudden attack during the 3:00 PM meeting. He also alleged that it was the Chemistry students who vandalized the shop to use sticks for the assault, and confirmed that a written complaint has been filed with the administration.
On the other hand, Rakib Ahmed, a Chemistry student, stated that the tension erupted during the mediation attempt. He confirmed they have also submitted a written complaint demanding justice for the harassment of the female student and the subsequent violence.
Proctor Dr. Rahat Hossain Faisal said, "We arrived to find an ongoing argument. We did not witness the earlier clash, but we have heard both sides. We will take action after a proper investigation. The harassment claim will also be investigated."
Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Mohammad Toufique Alam, who also visited the spot, noted that no one was seriously injured and promised that the culprits would be brought to justice following the probe.
