A violent clash broke out between senior and junior students from two departments at the TSC (Teacher-Student Centre) of Jagannath University (JnU) on Thursday over smoking a biri (local cigarette). The incident left at least 12 students from three different departments injured.
The altercation occurred at Siraj's tea stall near the university’s main gate. The injured students are from the Law, Mass Communication, and Finance departments.
According to reports, after their classes, students from the Mass Communication department went to the TSC to have food. While there, one student lit a biri and blew smoke towards students from the finance department, sparking an argument. Although the situation seemed to settle down momentarily, the juniors from both departments soon launched an unexpected attack on each other. The situation quickly escalated into a violent brawl.
Among the injured were students from both the Finance and Mass Communication departments, including several students who had to be rushed to National Medical Hospital for initial treatment. Serious injuries were reported, and one student, Saju Ahmed from Mass Communication, was admitted to the hospital for further care.
The injured students include the following: Law Department (2021-2022): Shrikant Baul; Finance Department (2020-2021): Yasin Mahmud Fahad, Pranto Das Gupta, Abdullah Al Mampi, Saiful Islam, and Al Shahriar Shaon; Mass Communication Department (2020-2021): Yasin Saif, Rakib Islam Farabi, SM Siam, Jannatul Naim Sad, and Imtiaz Himel; and Mass Communication (2022-2023): Saju Ahmed and Omar Faruk Zilon.
A witness, Siraj, who runs the tea stall, stated, "Some senior students came with their juniors to my shop. One of them lit a cigarette, and when Saiful told him to smoke elsewhere, a verbal argument broke out, which later turned into a fight."
Saiful, one of the injured students, shared, "I was with my juniors when a student from another department blew smoke in my face. When I asked him to stop, he and his juniors suddenly attacked me. We have filed a written complaint with the university administration, and we demand justice."
Omar Faruk Zilon, a student from the Mass Communication department, added, "What started as a small argument turned into an assault.
The finance department students attacked us with bamboo sticks and rods. Saju Ahmed was severely injured and later admitted to the hospital.
They brutally beat him on his face, head, and stomach. I was hit on the hand, requiring an X-ray, and my eyelid was cut. We were all badly injured, and we want justice."
The university's proctor, Professor Tajammul Haque, confirmed the incident, saying, "We have received written complaints from both sides. A committee will be formed to investigate the matter, and appropriate action will be taken."
