Then who shot RU students?

At least 20 students of Rajshahi University suffered pellet wounds during Saturday's overnight clashes with local traders.

Eight of them are still receiving treatment at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital and one of them is in critical condition.

As Rajshahi Metropolitan Police (RMP) Commissioner Anisur Rahman today claimed police did not use any firearms during the clash, a question arises who shot the students then.

"The police only threw teargas shells to disperse them," the RMP chief told reporters today.

But RMCH Director Brig Gen FM Shamim Ahmed told The Daily Star that they found shotgun pellets in students' bodies and usually these are used by law enforcers.

Of the eight students still receiving treatment at RMCH, Moshiur Rahman Mihad, a third-year student of the social science department, was hit with at least 30 pellets.

One pellet created a perforation in his abdomen and he had to undergo a surgery on Sunday night. He was still at the ICU, hospital sources said today afternoon.

Mihad on Saturday night told The Daily Star that police members from an armoured car fired at him from a close range without any warning.

Besides, RMCH referred three students to the National Institute of Ophthalmology in Dhaka as they suffered "vitriol retinal injuries" from shotgun pellets in their eyes.

On Saturday evening, a clash took place between the students and local traders in the Binodpur area following a feud over getting seats on a bus.

During the clash, around 50 shops and a police outpost were set on fire. Witnesses said some students were allegedly among those who torched the shops.

Talking to The Daily Star, the witnesses also said police used firearms and teargas shells to disperse the mobs as the situation went out of control.