Inter-University Cricket Tournament final watched clash at Rajshahi University`s Sheikh Kamal Stadium on Monday where players from Dhaka University (DU) were attacked by Rajshahi University (RU) students.
After first doing nothing, the Rajshahi University administration eventually assembled a three-person inquiry team to look into the occurrence.
At Rajshahi`s LabAid Hospital, four wounded players—Sifat, Imon, Tury, and Rokon—received treatment.
Eyewitnesses and people with knowledge of the incident claim that the altercation started as a disagreement over an umpire`s call, which escalated into a heated argument between the players on the field and ultimately resulted in a clash.
Some members of the ruling party student front Chhatra League were seen participating in the attack. Following the incident, the university authorities, along with the police, escorted the players off the field for their safety.
The Dhaka University cricket team`s head coach claimed that at least four players from their team were injured in the attack. In response to the incident, the Rajshahi University administration formed a committee to investigate the matter.
While the university authorities expressed regret over the incident, the coach of Dhaka University`s cricket team, Shahadat Hossain, mentioned concerns about the lack of security during the match. He stated that the administration did not take adequate measures to prevent the clash.
The clash disrupted the game temporarily, but after interventions from both coaches and teachers, the match resumed, and DU emerged victorious.
The clash prompted strong reactions from both universities` administrations, with Rajshahi University condemning the violence in an official statement. Meanwhile, Dhaka University`s administration expressed disappointment and called for an immediate investigation to ensure such incidents do not happen again.
As the universities grapple with the aftermath of this unfortunate incident, questions about security protocols during sporting events on campuses have come to the forefront. The focus now shifts to the inquiry committee`s findings and the steps that will be taken to prevent such incidents in the future.
