IU closes after BCL-police clash

Islamic University (IU) in Kushtia has been shut following a clash between police and members of the Bangladesh Chhatra League, reports bdnews24.com.

Students have been asked to vacate the residential halls by 12pm, Proctor Mahabubur Rahman said.

The decision was reached in a syndicate meeting that ran deep into Sunday night. It is an effort "to control the adverse situation and restore discipline," the proctor said.

All classes, examinations and academic work have been suspended until September 8.

Chhatra League, the ruling Awami League's student front, had called an indefinite strike after the clash in front of the university's academic building left 15 activists injured around noon Sunday.

BCL Kushtia unit president Ali Mortuza Khashru said that the Islami Chhatra Shibir, student wing of the Jamaat-e-Islami, had taken out a procession on the campus on Sunday protesting Israeli strikes in Gaza.

In a post-procession rally, Shibir leaders made defamatory comments about the prime minister and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, according to the BCL leader.

"BCL activists took out a procession on the campus in protest. As soon as it reached the administrative building, police engaged in a baton-charge and fired rubber bullets to disperse the marchers," he said.