A confrontation between locals and students from Daffodil International University (DIU), which resulted in several students sustaining injuries while over 60 local shops getting vandalized, has cast a shadow of concern over the safety of everyone involved in the adjoining areas of the university campus in Ashulia, Savar.
The conflict was initiated on Sunday afternoon and extended into the night. Concerned for the safety of the students involved in this incident, the authorities on Monday declared a university holiday spanning from Monday to November 16.
How it started?
The conflict between students and locals stemmed from the death of a fourth-year student, Hasibul Islam alias Antar, 22, majoring in textile engineering.
According to reports, Antar was assaulted by a group of locals and later died while undergoing treatment at a hospital.
University officials and teachers said that Hasibul was initially injured on October 27 and passed away on November 2.
This event provoked immense anger among the students, leading them to demand the apprehension and punishment of those responsible for their classmate's death, resignation of the proctor, assurance of student safety, and the permanent installation in memory of the deceased student.
This led to dissatisfaction among the students due to the university administration's failure to address their demands promptly.
Shops shut down
Following Antars’s death, the students conducted a raid in neighbouring Chandgaon area and asked the local shop owners to keep their businesses shut.
However, on Sunday afternoon, the shop owners attempted to persuade the students to open, saying that the fatal incident happened in Akran village, not Chandgaon.
A dispute arose between the parties, leading to chanting by the students, and subsequently, some students engaged in destructive behavior.
They broke the wooden benches of a tea shop, ignited a fire on the road, and struck the shutters of certain shops with sticks, causing panic among businessmen and local residents.
Subsequently, the confrontation escalated, with locals chasing students and throwing bricks, eventually pushing them back to the campus.
Locals alleged that students regrouped at the campus and initiated another confrontation, which led to further vandalism of shops and buildings.
Students’ dissatisfaction
In the evening, the students requested permission from the university administration to conduct a press conference addressing the overall issue and reiterated their demand for the removal of the university's director of student affairs.
Students mentioned they had gathered at the university grounds with several demands, and when the administration did not respond, they grew upset.
Concurrently, news emerged of an attack by local residents on the campus. During this event, 8-10 students were injured in the assault by locals, escalating tensions.
The mounting tension resulted in the huge altercation that night when students and shop owners engaged in chase and counter-chase throwing brickbats in the Chandgaon area near the campus.
Allegedly, locals joined the fight following an announcement via a public address system and attacked the academic building on the campus, resulting in vandalism.
Subsequently, the police intervened to control the situation.
Local businesses incurring loss
On Monday, the aftermath of the clash was visible, with over 60 shops lining both sides of Chandgaon road adjacent to Daffodil University being vandalized. Most shutters were broken or partially damaged, and goods inside several shops also harmed.
Nasir Uddin, a shop owner at Chandgaon Bazar, told Dhaka Tribune, "The students attacked my shop first, and for the next two hours, all the shops were vandalized. Chairs and tables were set on fire."
Shahriar Sumon, president of Chandgaon Molla Market Business Association, said 70 shops were vandalized.
He demanded compensation from the university administration, citing a total loss of Tk1.81 crore.
Shahriar also expressed willingness for the business community to support the university administration if it shows sincerity in this matter.
What university is doing?
Md Ejaj-Ur-Rahman, an assistant professor in the business administration department at Daffodil International University, indicated that the university administration has established a four-member investigation committee tasked with delivering a report within a week.
Following the student’s demands, the university's proctor has already resigned, and the university administration has pledged to promptly address the other demands.