Activists of the pro-BNP Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) have been allegedly attacked by the Bangladesh Chhatra League, the ruling Awami League’s student affiliate, at the Dhaka University campus.

The attack was reported on Monday (Sept 23) on the street in front of the Teacher-Student Centre (TSC).

It comes a day after an aggressive face-off between the student bodies sparked by slogans and counter slogans at the campus on Sunday (Sept 22).

The JCD claims that at least 30 of its activists were injured in the attack perpetrated by BCL activist. Eight of them, who were reportedly in critical conditions, have been admitted to the Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Hospital and the Islami Bank Hospital.

The BCL, however, denied the allegation.

According to the JCD, when its leaders were briefing the media at the Hakim Chattar around 11 am, BCL’s university unit President Sanjit Chandra Das arrived at the scene and told them to leave.

The JCD leaders then went to the road island in front of the TSC and briefed the media.

Soon after the briefing ended, 20 to 25 people, who were armed with iron rods and batons attacked them, said the student organisation before adding the attackers were loyalists of BCL leader Sanjit.

JCD General Secretary Iqbal Hossain Shyamol was at the scene when the attack unfolded. Speaking to the media later at the DMCH, he said, “The attackers raised ‘Joy Bangla’ slogans before attacking us. Some 30 to 40 of our activists have been injured.

The BCL denied the allegations. “No instructions for an attack went out from us. The Chhatra League [BCL] is not involved in the attacks.”