Students, traders clash at Patuatuli

A clash broke out Sunday between businessmen and the students of Jagannath University (JU) at Patuatuli area in the capital over purchasing watch.

However, there was no report of casualties.

The incident occurred at around 12:00 noon following an altercation over purchasing of a watch between some students of JU and salesmen of a watch shop.

"The clash erupted between the watch traders and the students of Jagannath University centering purchasing of a watch. So far none has complained to us about the incident," officer-in-charge of Kotwali Police Station ABM Moshiur Rahman told the FE.

He, however, said the businessmen, the university authority and the student leaders are now discussing to settle the issue until filling of the report at around 6:00 pm.

Patuatuli is a renowned trade hub for different varieties of watches that supplies the products to different parts of the country with wholesale rates.

Wholesale traders who are involved with different types of watch selling at Patuatuli lane told the media that after the altercation students went back to the university and came back with other fellow students that spearheaded the clash between the two parties.

But students said that they were maltreated by the traders.

Witnesses saw chases and counter chases from Science Bhaban of the university to Patuatuli road for some times which disrupted the normal traffic movement.

At one stage proctor and the student leaders of the university rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control.

"The situation remains tense. We asked the students not to go outside of the university campus," proctor of JU Noor Mohammad told the media.

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