KUSHTIA: Islami University was Thursday closed till July 14 as tensions boiled up following a Bangladesh Chhatra League factional clash over forming a new committee that left at least two wounded.

Traffic on the Kushtia-Jhenidah bypass highway halted following the feud between two rival groups in the IU unit of the pro-government student organization—barely three days after a fierce BCL factional fight at Jahangirnagar University.  

Police and witnesses said the clash took place on the campus at around 10 pm when recently ousted activists led by Mahbub-Khasru and new committee supporters led by Jahangir-Tuhin duo faced off over leadership.

“The rival groups attacked each other with local weapons and firearms, leaving two injured,” says a firsthand account of the encounter.

Injured Sumon and Meraz were taken to a local hospital, reports banglanews24.com.bd district correspondent.

Chhatra League president of the varsity unit Jahangir Hossain, however, said, ”None attacked us, but some unruly activists of BCL vandalized the campus transportation office to create anarchy.”

Ousted leader Mahbub has a different story: ”We chased them as they had chased us and two activists of our group were injured.”
 
The activists of the Mahbub-Khasru group took position at the varsity’s Bangabandhu hall while the Jahangir-Tuhin group at Ziaur Rahman hall, witness said.

Locals fear violent clash might erupt anytime in a backlash.    

Earlier, Suvash Chandra Saha, additional police super of Kushtia, said that the clash erupted in the morning when the committee’s elected president, Jahangir Hossain, was attacked by some agitated youths on the campus. “No chase and counter-case did occur.”

BDST: 1330 HRS, 8 JULY 2010