Police fired tear gas, baton-charged, and hurled sound grenades at teachers and students of Jagannath University (JnU) on Wednesday during their march toward the residence of the chief adviser, demanding the fulfilment of three demands.
Over 100 people, including teachers, students, and journalists, were injured in the incident.
The attack occurred as the students reached the Kakrail crossing after marching past Matshya Bhaban.
In protest, the demonstrators staged a sit-in in front of the Kakrail Mosque intersection toward the chief adviser's residence, Jamuna.
According to on-ground observations, at around 11:30am, over 1,000 students from Jagannath University began marching toward Jamuna.
Their procession initially faced resistance near the Golap Shah shrine gate in Gulistan.
They overcame another blockade at Matshya Bhaban and continued toward Jamuna.
However, as they reached the Kakrail Mosque crossing, police suddenly began firing tear gas, sound grenades, and hot water cannons.
Around 100 people, including teachers and students, sustained injuries.
Among those affected by tear gas were Prof Dr Md Rais Uddin, general secretary of the JnU Teachers’ Association; Mahatab Hossain Limon, general secretary of the JnU Journalists’ Association; Dhaka Tribune's Sohanur Rahman; and the campus correspondent of Dainik Sangbad.
At least 30 students were critically injured and are currently receiving treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital.
The injured include Mahatab Hossain Limon, Omar Faruk, Sakib, Arif Aslam, Bin Mohammad Imon, Redwan, Asif, Rahman, Shafik, Mujahid, Nahid Hasan, Raihan, Jihad, Abu Bakkar, Newton Islam, Faruk Hossain, Russel, Mahid, Rafiq, Jisanul, among others.
Dr Md Rais Uddin, secretary of the JnU Teachers’ Association, said: “We will remain here until justice is served for the police attack on students and our demands are met.”
DMP Ramna Division Deputy Commissioner Masud said: “There is no opportunity to move toward Jamuna.”
Prof Dr Muhammad Tazammol Hoque, the university proctor, said: “Police attacked our teachers and students. Even the assistant proctor was assaulted by police. Their behaviour toward students’ legitimate movement was inhumane. We will not leave until justice is served.”
Earlier on Tuesday afternoon, a delegation of students and teachers visited the University Grants Commission (UGC).
As they did not receive any satisfactory response, students declared the "Long March to Jamuna" program.
The three demands of the demonstrators are:
- From the 2025–26 fiscal year, 70% of JnU students must receive a housing stipend until a permanent housing solution is ensured.
- The proposed full budget for JnU for the 2025–26 fiscal year must be approved without any cuts.
- The construction of JnU’s second campus must be approved at the next Ecnec meeting and implemented as a priority project.
