Clash Between JUST Students and Locals: One Detained, Tension Grips Satianatola Area
A joint force detained mobile-phone shopkeeper Monayem Hossain from his native Satianatola village on Wednesday afternoon, 26 November, following a clash between students of Jessore University of Science and Technology (JUST) and local villagers.
A case has been filed with Kotwali Police Station in this regard. The case was lodged by JUST Professor Dr. Omar Faruk, naming Monayem as the sole accused.
Earlier, following an incident of harassment of a female student, clashes broke out between students and local traders and residents, creating a tense atmosphere on the campus and nearby areas. Although the university remained open on Wednesday, no classes or examinations were held. Student presence on campus was low, and most shops in the local bazaar remained closed.
The previous day, Tuesday (25 November), between 7 pm and 10 pm, clashes erupted at the AmBottola Bazar area on the Jessore–Chougacha road near the university. Several rounds of chase and counter-chase took place. A motorcycle was set on fire. After three hours, the police and university administration managed to bring the situation under control through discussion with both sides. However, on Wednesday morning, most shops remained shut, many traders fearing arrest. Although no law-enforcement force was stationed at the spot, police patrols continued.
According to the university administration, police, students, and local traders- a female student had gone to shopkeeper Monayem Hossain’s repair shop at Am-Bottola Bazar on Monday afternoon to fix her mobile phone. While removing the SIM card, she cut her hand. As Monayem tried to give her first aid, he touched her hand and reportedly made indecent remarks. When the student protested, an argument ensued during which he allegedly used abusive language. The student later informed her classmates.
On Tuesday evening, classmates went to the shop to question Monayem. When he engaged in an argument with them as well, the students assaulted him. In response, other shopkeepers and locals chased the students, triggering a confrontation.
At one stage, traders used a loudspeaker to call local residents to join them, leading to hours of chase-counter-chase and brick-throwing between students and locals, turning the campus area into a battleground. At least 30 students, including two campus journalists, were injured. A journalist’s motorcycle was torched. The university’s proctorial body failed to control the situation. Students grew angrier as law-enforcement officers did not arrive for nearly three hours. Later, the Vice Chancellor, Treasurer, and proctorial officials reached the spot, calmed both sides, and normalised the situation. Around 9:30 pm, the army and police arrived to restore order. University authorities later visited injured students at the medical centre.
Several students said that when they went to question the shopkeeper about the harassment incident, local traders and residents attacked them. As they ran for safety, stones were hurled from behind. In anger, students blocked the Chougacha–Jessore road by burning tyres and benches, demanding justice. They also confined the Vice Chancellor and Treasurer. Although the situation eventually calmed, fear persists among the students.
Students expressed anger over the delayed arrival of law enforcement. They detained Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Abdul Mazid and Treasurer Professor Dr. Hossain Al Mamun for nearly four hours, demanding their resignation. Around 1:30 am, they released the two after receiving assurance that those involved in the attack would be arrested.
On Wednesday morning and noon, campus movement remained thin. Although classes and exams were suspended, administrative work continued. Some of the injured students were treated at the campus RM Khan Medical Centre, while others were referred to Jessore General Hospital.
Meanwhile, although Wednesday was a market day, most shops at Ambottola Bazar remained closed. Bricks and debris were still scattered on the road.
Abdul Mannan, a member of the local Churamankati Union Parishad, said, “Villagers are united against the students. Many students drink tea here and leave without paying. They assaulted one shopkeeper, and when others protested, they were attacked. After the incident, police detained the shopkeeper involved. Now there is an atmosphere of fear of arrest in the market.”
Three shopkeepers, speaking anonymously, said that they do not want conflict with students, as students are their customers. However, they claimed the shopkeeper was assaulted twice. Although traders apologised on Monayem’s behalf, the students assaulted him again, triggering anger among traders and leading to clashes. Several shopkeepers were also injured.
JUST Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Abdul Mazid told university journalists, “Many teachers, including the proctorial body, tried to control the situation. But the delay in law-enforcement arrival made things worse. Injured students are being treated. Many are frightened and hurt. So, we suspended classes and exams on Wednesday. Regular classes will resume from Saturday. The attack on students by locals is absolutely condemnable. We will take legal measures. We will also meet with the market committee to prevent recurrence.”
Jessore Additional Superintendent of Police Abul Bashar said, “The situation is now under control. The accused shopkeeper has been arrested. No innocent person will be detained or harassed. Police patrols will continue. We expect the situation to remain peaceful.”
DBTech/BT/EK/OR
