Emergency services at Dhaka Medical College Hospital were suspended on Wednesday evening after a clash between students of Dhaka University and doctors at the facility, with both sides offering conflicting accounts of the incident.
The situation began around 5:30pm in the emergency department, with each side blaming the other for starting the altercation.
Students said Mehedi Hasan Sanim (23), a Botany student and resident of Amar Ekushey Hall, returned to the emergency ward after failing to find prescribed medicine and was attacked when he went back with friends to seek a substitute.
“Ten to 12 doctors attacked us,” said Mohammad Tanjim, a student from Shahidullah Hall, alleging the confrontation began without provocation.
Doctors and others present, however, claimed that the clash was initiated by Dhaka University students. “Fifteen to 20 students came in and attacked four doctors,” said Noman, a student of Dhaka Medical College.
Saifuddin Ahmed, Proctor of Dhaka University, later visited the scene and held talks with the hospital authorities after collecting information. “We’ve been informed our students were attacked,” he said, adding that further steps would be decided after discussions.
