Student-Worker Clash Erupts in Barisal Over Half-Fare Dispute; Dozens Injured, Buses Vandalized

A large number of students from Barisal Government Brajamohan College (BM College) allegedly attacked the bus terminal and vandalized over fifty buses following a dispute over the refusal of a student half-fare. This led to a massive clash between the two sides, reportedly leaving around fifty students and transport workers injured.

The conflict began at the Barisal Central Nothullabad Bus Terminal around 7:00 PM on Saturday (November 15). The attack and vandalism were still ongoing as of 8:15 PM when the initial report was filed.

Students’ Claim: BM College students claimed that when the agitated students went to the bus terminal, they were attacked by the transport workers, resulting in 25 students being injured.

Workers’ Denial and Claim: Transport workers, however, denied any counter-attack. Transport worker leader Arju Mridha stated that the dispute started when a student on the Barisal-Muladi route had an altercation with a bus worker over demanding the half-fare, even though it was a day when the college was closed.

He claimed that later in the evening, hundreds of BM College students gathered at the Nothullabad stand and vandalized over fifty parked buses. They also allegedly beat and severely injured 15 to 20 workers present there.

Students’ Explanation: Multiple students present at the scene claimed, “Half-fare is our right. While returning to Barisal city from Muladi on Saturday, a student was physically assaulted by bus workers for attempting to pay the half-fare.”

“Upon hearing the news, we gathered at the Nothullabad stand to demand justice for the workers’ actions. It was then that the bus workers launched an attack on us, injuring 20 to 25 students.”

Police Response: Mamun Ul Islam, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Barisal Airport Police Station, stated that additional police forces have been dispatched to the scene. “We are trying to bring the situation under control,” he said.