Dhaka: At least four students were injured in a clash between residents of Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy Hall and Mawlana Bhashani Hall at Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) early Sunday. Among the injured, first-year student Rifat Hossain is an inmate of Suhrawardy Hall, while the three others are residents of Bhashani Hall.

According to United News of Bangladesh, the violence reportedly stemmed from an argument in a Messenger group of first-year (Batch-65) students of the Faculty of Agriculture. The dispute began over a meme posted in the group’s discussion on the election of a class representative for Section A. The online argument later escalated into a physical confrontation between students from the two residential halls.

Witnesses said students of Mawlana Bhashani Hall initially chased those from Suhrawardy Hall. Later, a group of Suhrawardy Hall students allegedly entered Bhashani Hall and vandalised property, triggering panic. At least four students sustained injuries, including one to the head, while others suffered injuries to their hands and legs.

University proctorial body members and law enforcement personnel rushed to the scene and brought the situation under control. Both groups later returned to their respective halls. Dr Aminul Motin, the physician on duty at the university’s Health Care Centre, said four students received first aid and were released. Assistant Proctor Mahbubul Pratik Siddique said the situation is now normal.