A clash broke out between activists of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) and Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir at Dhaka College on Tuesday afternoon, triggering panic and heightening tensions on the campus.
The violence erupted around 4:30pm, with the rival groups engaging in several rounds of chases and counter-chases.
An officer on duty at New Market Police Station said senior police officials, along with additional police personnel, rushed to the scene after receiving reports of the clash.
Witnesses said Chhatra Dal activists later gathered at the Science Laboratory intersection carrying sticks, as tensions remained high in and around the campus.
The rival student organizations traded blame over the incident. Chhatra Dal alleged its activists were attacked while heading to a workers' meeting, while Chhatra Shibir claimed Chhatra Dal activists launched the attack as it was preparing to hold a reception and discussion program for the families of those killed in the July mass uprising. Neither claim could be independently verified.
Chhatra Dal claimed 11 of its activists were injured in the clash, while Chhatra Shibir claimed more than 20 of its members were hurt, taking the total number of injured to more than 30, according to the two organizations. The injury claims could not be independently verified.
Earlier in the day, similar clashes broke out between Chhatra Dal and Chhatra Shibir activists at Jagannath University and Government Madrasah-e-Alia.
The campuses remained under heightened tension in the aftermath of the clashes.