15 injured as leftist students, 'anti-Shahbaghis' clash in Ctg during protest over Azharul's acquittal

At least 15 people were injured as clashes broke out between a group of leftist students and members of 'Shahbagh Birodhi Oikya' in Chattogram today (28 May) during a protest rally over Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami leader ATM Azharul Islam's acquittal in a case filed over allegations of war crimes.

The rally was organised by left-leaning student alliance 'Gonotantrik Chhatra Jote' in front of the Chattogram Press Club in Jamal Khan area this afternoon.

Three of the injured sustained serious injuries, according to organisers of the leftist coalition.

Confirming the incident, Chattogram's Kotwali Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Abdul Karim said, "There was tension between the two groups over a rally. A minor clash occurred, and two people were injured."

"However, we intervened quickly and brought the situation under control," the OC said.

No case has been filed as of the filing of this report, but law enforcement officials said they are investigating the incident and reviewing CCTV footage of the area.

The rally was called to protest the acquittal of Azharul and the recent attack on leftist students at Rajshahi University.

Tensions flared when members of Shahbagh Birodhi Oikya arrived with a counter demonstration.

According to eyewitnesses, both groups exchanged slogans while police attempted to stand between them to prevent conflict.

The situation quickly escalated into physical altercations, during which stones were reportedly thrown, injuring several participants.

The three seriously injured activists—Ripa Majumdar, president of the Chattogram City unit of Socialist Student Front, Shrikanta Biswas Shiku, general secretary of Democratic Student Council (District), and Sudipto Guha, the group's finance secretary—were admitted to Chattogram Medical College Hospital (CMCH).

Ripa and Shrikanta sustained visible head injuries during the scuffle.

After the initial clash, members of Gonotantrik Chhatra Jote attempted to move toward Cheragi intersection, only to be chased again by members of Shahbagh Birodhi Oikya, reigniting tensions, our correspondent reported.

Following the withdrawal of the leftist group, members of Shahbagh Birodhi Oikya remained at the press club premises, chanting slogans and celebrating.

They were also seen setting fire to the banner seized from the protest rally, according to our correspondent.

Pushpita Nath, vice president of the Socialist Student Front (Chattogram City), told reporters, "We organised the rally to protest the unjust acquittal of a convicted war criminal and the attack on our comrades at Rajshahi University. After announcing the rally yesterday, we faced threats and incitement online. Today, we were attacked. Among the injured are several female leaders of our alliance."

On the other side, Abrar Hasan Riyad, coordinator of July Oikya Mancha (Chattogram), which is aligned with Shahbagh Birodhi Oikya, said, "These leftist groups supported Sheikh Hasina's fascism through the so-called Shahbagh movement. As a result, Hasina was able to rule for 16 years with disappearances, killings, and vote snatching."

"Now, these groups are conspiring again when Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus's interim government is trying to restore judicial integrity. If they don't adopt the spirit of the July uprising, they will be resisted — just like today," Abrar said.

Earlier, yesterday (27 May), at least five people, including a journalist, were injured in clashes between "anti-Shahbaghis", including Islami Chhatra Shibir members, and leftist students at Rajshahi University (RU) during a torch procession to protest the acquittal of Azharul.

Supporters of Jamaat-e-Islami, under the banner of Shahbagh Birodhi Oikya, attacked the procession, organised by the Democratic Student Alliance, alleged RU Chhatra Union President Rakib Hasan.

However, the Anti-Shahbagh Alliance has rejected the allegation and made a counter-claim that it was the members of the leftist organisations who attacked them during an anti-narcotics rally.

Meanwhile, Shibir has claimed that some of their activists were injured in the attack, although their identities remain unknown.