DHAKA: Pro-government Chhatra League activists clashed with their opposition Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal rivals on the Dhaka University campus Monday, leaving at least 24 injured, seven critically, in the fierce fighting.

Campus sources said the clash ensued at about 10:30am when the activists of the ruling Awami League-backed student politicos attacked the student associates of the opposition BNP with hockey sticks.

Of the injured, seven JCD leaders and activists were admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital in critical condition.

They are DU unit JCD convenor Abdul Matin, joint conveners Maidul Islam Hiru and Moniruzzaman Rezil, Assistant General Secretary of the central JCD Anwarul Haq Royal and activists Sajib Hasan Babu, Abu Atiq Mintu and Mostafa Kamal.

JCD’s DU-unit AGS Siddiqui Ahmed said BCL leaders had earlier warned them not to come to the campus before withdrawing a case lodged against some Chhatra League leaders following the January 18 campus violence.

“But JCD activists came to the campus this morning without withdrawing the case, which angered them,” he said.

Proctor of the university Prof KM Saiful Islam termed the clash “political” and said preventive action would be taken. “The university authorities will try to avoid any unwanted incident on the campus.”

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) (Ramna Zone) ADC Nurul Islam said the situation was now under control and that about 100 police personnel were deployed on the campus to fend of further trouble.

BDST: 1310 HRS, June 21, 2010

ALD/RT/LY/MUA