At Least 70 Injured in Repeated JCD-Shibir Clashes at JnU, NMC

At least 70 people—including Jagannath University Central Students' Union (JnUCSU) leaders, student political activists, journalists, and faculty members—were injured on Tuesday following repeated clashes among activists of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir, and Chhatra Shakti at Jagannath University (JnU).

The violent confrontations later spilled over into the nearby Dhaka National Medical College Hospital, where JCD activists reportedly entered the emergency ward and assaulted injured victims undergoing treatment.

Placard Protest Sparks Initial Confrontation

The incident originated during an official event organized at Jagannath University to mark July Mass Uprising Day 2026, attended by University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman Professor Dr. Mamun Ahmed as the chief guest. During the program, student leaders from JnUCSU and Inqilab Mancha attempted to stand in front of the UGC Chairman displaying placards that highlighted key student demands, including transferring the construction of the university's second campus to the Bangladesh Army.

According to eyewitnesses, leaders of the university's JCD unit obstructed the students from displaying the placards inside the central auditorium. When the student representatives moved outside the auditorium to continue their peaceful demonstration, JCD activists launched a physical assault on them, harassing several university faculty members who attempted to mediate. As the situation escalated, JCD members physically expelled Shibir and Chhatra Shakti leaders from the university premises.

Attack Spills Into Hospital Emergency Ward

Between 2:30 PM and 4:30 PM, JCD activists repeatedly entered the nearby Dhaka National Medical College Hospital premises. According to victims and witnesses, attackers forced their way into the emergency room and indiscriminately beat injured students and student leaders receiving medical treatment following the campus skirmishes.

Law enforcement personnel subsequently deployed additional police forces outside the medical college to secure the perimeter and regain control of the situation.

Casualties Across Student Body and Media

The series of violent attacks resulted in at least 70 injuries across multiple student organizations, administration, and media representatives:

• JnUCSU Representatives: Vice President Md. Riazul Islam, General Secretary Abdul Alim Arif, Assistant General Secretary Masud Rana, Health and Environment Secretary Nur Mohammad, and Executive Members Abdullah Al Faruk and Mehedi Hasan.

• Student Organization Leaders: JnU Chhatra Shakti President Shahin Miah, General Secretary Ferdous Sheikh, Samajtantrik Chhatra Front JnU President Ivan Tahsiv, Chhatra Shibir leader Rakibul, JCD leader Arman, and Chhatra Shakti central leader Jabir Khan.

• Journalists & Media Personnel: Reporters Kamruzzaman Kayes, Abdullah Al Mamun, alongside several other campus correspondents.

Student Leaders Condemn Violence and Hospital Assault

Condemning the violence, JnUCSU General Secretary and JnU Chhatra Shibir President Abdul Alim Arif characterized the incident as an attempt to establish political dominance through terror:

"Chhatra Dal launched a naked attack on general students, JnUCSU representatives, Shibir, and Chhatra Shakti leaders. They wish to establish a politics of terror across campuses. They even stormed the emergency room of Dhaka National Medical College Hospital to attack the injured who were seeking medical care. They launched this attack because transferring second campus construction to the Army would disrupt their tender-grabbing politics."

Jabir Khan, central leader of Chhatra Shakti and a JnU student, added that attackers brought external individuals to assault victims inside the hospital, preventing injured students from receiving emergency medical aid.

Expressing concern over ongoing campus unrest, Ivan Tahsiv, President of the Samajtantrik Chhatra Front JnU unit, noted that JCD activists acted aggressively against anyone in sight and attacked students who attempted to protest the locking of the campus gates.

JCD Claims Resistance Against Planned 'Mob Culture'

In response to the allegations, the JnU unit of Chhatra Dal convened an urgent press conference to present its position. JCD leaders claimed that Chhatra Shibir attempted to create a planned "mob" similar to recent incidents at Begum Rokeya University (BRUR), but faced resistance from general students.

Addressing reporters, JnU JCD Member Secretary Shamsul Arefin stated:

"Shibir attempted to import old mob culture to deprive Jagannath University students of their right to residential halls, but general students thwarted their attempt. Shibir occupied a section of JnUCSU through planned manipulation and went into hibernation without addressing student welfare, housing crises, or student interests. When construction work on halls commenced, Shibir attempted to create a mob against student interests, prompting general students to directly resist them."

University Administration Condemns Incident, Form Probe Body

In an official statement, the Jagannath University administration expressed deep regret and condemned the violence, stating that restrained, responsible, and disciplined behavior was expected from all parties during an official university event.

To investigate the root causes and identify those responsible, the university administration has constituted a four-member inquiry committee headed by Professor Dr. Mostafa Hasan, Chairman of the Department of Social Work. The investigation committee has been instructed to submit its official report at the earliest possible timeframe.