Students of Khulna University (KU) and transport workers got into a conflict on Wednesday (Dec 4) evening after bus staff reportedly assaulted a student over a disagreement about bus fare.

The incident happened near the Sonadanga Bus Terminal in Khulna city, prompting the deployment of police and army personnel to control the situation, said Hawlader Sanwar, Officer-in-Charge of Sonadanga Police Station.

Eyewitnesses said that around 5 pm, a KU student had a fare dispute with bus staff while traveling to the university from Gopalganj. Instead of dropping the student at his stop near KU, the bus staff took him to the Sonadanga Bus Terminal, where they allegedly beat him.

When other KU students learned about this, some went to the bus terminal, leading to a confrontation with the transport workers. The situation escalated, and the students also faced attacks. During the scuffle, a KU teacher was reportedly harassed by the bus workers.

Following this, more KU students gathered at the site and blocked nearby roads, demanding action against the bus staff responsible. The situation intensified as students and transport workers chased each other, and some vehicles were damaged in the clash.

Law enforcement personnel were later deployed to calm the situation and prevent further escalation.

BDST: 2136 HRS, DEC 04, 2024
MSK