Clashes between students of Government Shahid Suhrawardy College, Kabi Nazrul Government College, and Dr Mahbubur Rahman Mollah College (DMRC) turned the Demra and Jatrabari areas of Dhaka into battlefields on Monday, with some locals also getting involved in the conflict.
To bring the situation under control, a significant number of law enforcement personnel were deployed.
The clash began on Monday around 12:30pm and continued till 2:45pm.
Initially, students of Government Shahid Suhrawardy College and Kabi Nazrul College attacked DMRC students with sticks, joined later by students from colleges affiliated with Dhaka University.
An attempt was reportedly made to set fire to DMRC, prompting residents to intervene.
Witnesses reported students running around with sticks during the clash, creating panic in the area.
The violence disrupted exams being conducted at two colleges, forcing frightened students to flee.
Despite police presence, their response was reportedly passive, according to locals, drawing criticism from them.
Extensive vandalism occurred at Suhrawardy College, Kabi Nazrul College, and Dhaka National Medical College (DNMC), leaving several people injured.
Victims demanded identification and punishment of those responsible.
The unrest caused a complete halt to traffic in the area.
According to the deputy commissioner of DMP’s Wari Division, Md Saleh Uddin, a large number of police officers and some army personnel were deployed to control the situation.
The conflict started after allegations of negligence by a doctor at DNMC, which led to the death of a DMRC student named Abhijit.
Protesting this, students from various colleges surrounded the hospital on Sunday, demanding justice for Abhijit’s death.
On Sunday evening, students from Suhrawardy College and Kabi Nazrul College announced a 24-hour ultimatum to the authorities for action and a protest rally on Monday, escalating the unrest.
