PSTU Correspondent:
Patuakhali Science and Technology University (PSTU), a clash broke out between two factions of the BNP (Bangladesh Nationalist Party) during the visit of the party’s central Vice-Chairman, former Minister of Home and Commerce, Air Vice Marshal (Retd.) Altaf Hossain Chowdhury. Although Politics is banned at PSTU, two people were injured in the incident.
On Sunday (February 23) at around 11 a.m. in front of the university’s Mukto Bangla area the clash occurred.
Altaf Hossain Chowdhury arrived at the university to attend a preparatory meeting with the administration for the upcoming University Day on February 26. The meeting was intended to discuss preparations for the university’s anniversary celebrations. His arrival led to a confrontation between two BNP factions. Jasim Uddin Howlader, Ibrahim Khalil and Matiur Rahman Dipu were invited but Anwar Hossain Howlader’s group did not receive invitations. This led to the altercation. BNP’s organizational secretary Mohammad Ibrahim and member Matiur Rahman Dipu were injured during the clash. They received first aid at Dumki Upazila Health Complex and were later sent to Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital in Barishal.
BNP leader Anwar Hossain Howlader stated that the clash occurred due to the failure to acknowledge dedicated leaders.
Upazila BNP President Mohammad Khalilur Rahman commented, “We, the Upazila BNP, had no knowledge of Altaf Hossain Chowdhury’s visit to Dumki or the PSTU campus.”
When questioned about whether the presence of outsiders and the clash within the university reflects the weakness of the administration, Proctor Professor Abul Bashar Khan replied, “What weakness! If an attack occurs on me, what can the administration do! Can they keep me under surveillance all day?”
Regarding the fear caused among the students, he said, “This is not something I need to concern myself with.”
The university’s Registrar, Professor Dr. Mohammad Ektear Uddin, clarified that Altaf Hossain Chowdhury, a well-wisher and a key figure in the university’s founding, had not come as a political figure but was invited as part of the anniversary preparations. He further stated, “If any unrest occurs on campus due to his presence, the administration will take appropriate actions based on clear evidence and complaints.
On August 13, following requests from students, the then-Registrar Professor Dr. S. M. Hemayet Jahan issued an official order banning all political activities on the PSTU campus.
