Two Dhaka University students were severely injured in a mob attack after protesting the harassment of their female friend by vendors at a shop in the New Market area’s Chadni Chawk Market.
The students—Shahedul Islam and Ayazur Rahman—are from the 2023–24 academic session, studying at the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism, and the Institute of Social Welfare and Research, respectively.
Both are currently receiving medical treatment for serious injuries.
According to a First Information Report (FIR) filed by one of the victims, the incident took place around 8:35pm on Monday at the shop on the ground floor of the market.
At around 9:15pm, one of the victims collapsed and was taken to a separate room on the market’s second floor, where he was allegedly beaten and threatened with death. The FIR includes charges of attempted murder, abduction, mugging, and other offences.
Police have arrested three vendors in connection with the incident.
Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) for the New Market Zone, Tarique Latif, said an FIR has been filed against four named vendors and 50 to 60 unnamed others.
According to AKM Mahfuzul Haque, officer-in-charge of New Market police station, the incident began when a female DU student visited the market to purchase an item. After bargaining, she left without buying anything.
"As she was leaving, some vendors allegedly hurled abusive remarks at her. When her friends confronted them about the harassment, they were attacked by a group of market vendors," he said.
ACP Latif added that along with the two severely injured students, 10 to 15 others also suffered minor injuries during the attack.
