20 JnU students hurt in clash with cops

At least 20 students of Jagannath University (JnU) were injured in a clash with police Sunday centring the recovery of Tibbat Hall, allegedly occupied by the incumbent member of parliament (MP) Haji Selim.
According the university sources, most of the students sustained minor injuries from tear gas shells and rubber bullets and they were given preliminary treatment.
The sources said the university students had started gathering on the campus from early morning as part of their prescheduled demonstration to recover the occupied hall.
The clash took place at about 11:30 am when the mob started moving towards the Tibbat Hall situated in the Bangla Bazar area, which is allegedly occupied by Haji Selim.
Rafiqul Islam, a third year student of Accounting Department of the university, said the riot police surrounded the demonstrating students at about 11:30 am and started firing tear gas shells and charged baton when the group started moving towards the hall.
He said earlier the protesting students had held demonstrations at key points of the university area including Rai Shaheb Bazar and Nayabazar intersections.  
JnU Proctor Ashok Kumar Saha said the demand of the protesting students was legitimate and rational.
"However, the university authorities have deployed an increased number of police personnel to avert any untoward occurrences," he added.
When contacted, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Kotwali Police Station Moniruzzaman said that the police dispersed the protesting students to avoid any bloody fight with the people who allegedly occupied the hall.