A clash broke out on Rajshahi University (RU) campus on Monday night between activists from several left-leaning student organisations and members of "Anti-Shahbagh Union", leaving at least two students injured.

The incident occurred around 8:00 PM near the Paribahan Chattar area of the campus, where leftist organisations had gathered for a torch protest against the recent acquittal of ATM Azharul Islam, a former Jamaat-e-Islami leader who was previously sentenced to death for war crimes.

According to Fuadul Islam, convener of the Socialist Students` Front, the left-leaning activists were preparing to begin their scheduled demonstration when the clash began.

“We were about to start our torch protest when the Anti-Shahbagh Union members approached. Since they were already demonstrating at the same spot, we were waiting for them to finish. But suddenly, they began attacking us with chairs and other objects,” Fuadul said.

On the other hand, Ariful Islam, a representative of the Anti-Shahbagh Union, gave a different account.

“Their leaders were mocking us, calling us ‘Jamaat-Shibir’. We went there to talk and defuse the situation, but they attacked us instead. I was also injured,” he claimed.

The confrontation left two leftist leaders, Nasim Sarker and Tarek Ashraf, injured, according to sources present at the scene.

As of 10:30 PM, both groups had taken positions inside and around the Rajshahi University Administrative Building. A group from the Anti-Shahbagh Union was seen in discussion with Assistant Proctor Nasir Uddin, while leftist activists gathered at the building`s entrance.

University authorities have yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident, and the campus remains tense.