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Clashes erupted between activists of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) and Islami Chhatra Shibir at Jagannath University, Dhaka College and Government Alia Madrasa in the capital on Tuesday, leaving dozens injured and prompting authorities to deploy additional police.
The violence involved repeated clashes, chases and counter-chases, and brick-throwing.
Members of both student organisations, general students and passers-by were among those injured. The injured were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.
The latest confrontation broke out in the afternoon at the Science Lab intersection adjacent to Dhaka College, where activists of JCD and Shibir exchanged brickbats and engaged in running battles armed with sticks.
Witnesses said Shibir activists had gathered on the campus ahead of a discussion marking the anniversary of the July mass uprising. Before the programme began, a group of JCD activists allegedly attacked the venue, triggering the clash.
Dhaka College Shibir’s Finance Secretary Mohammad Mamun claimed at least 30 of its activists were injured in the attack.
JCD leaders, however, alleged that Shibir had launched a premeditated attack on their members. Dhaka College JCD Member Secretary Millad Hossain said his organisation would resist what he described as “terrorist activities” on campus.
Following the incident, hundreds of activists from both groups took positions in and around the campus, while police were deployed to prevent further violence.
Earlier in the day, tensions flared at Jagannath University during a programme attended by the chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC).
The dispute reportedly began after students displayed placards highlighting their demands during the event. The situation quickly escalated into clashes between rival student groups.
The violence later spread to the nearby National Medical College Hospital, where injured students had been taken for treatment. Witnesses said activists from Kabi Nazrul Government College and Shaheed Suhrawardy College affiliated with Shibir also joined the clashes.
The unrest caused panic among patients and their relatives at the hospital.
Witnesses said JCD activists also forced Jagannath University Central Students’ Union (JAKSU) Vice-President Riazul Islam and General Secretary Abdul Alim Arif to leave the campus. An estimated 20 to 30 people were injured.
Additional police were deployed across the university campus, the hospital and nearby court area to maintain order.
The clashes at Jagannath University and Dhaka College also heightened tensions around Government Alia Madrasa in Bakshibazar, where activists of both organisations gathered carrying sticks.
Police formed a buffer between the two groups as the situation remained tense.
Around 5:00 pm, Chawkbazar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Abdullah Al Mamun said police were trying to bring the situation under control, although tensions had not fully subsided.
Two JCD leaders injured in the violence were admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital. They were identified as Sanaullah, former senior joint convener of Government Alia Madrasa JCD, and Nesar Uddin Rabbi, member secretary of Lalbagh Thana JCD and joint general secretary of Dhaka South JCD.
Rabbi alleged that Shibir activists carried out a sudden attack while he was visiting friends on the madrasa campus.
Hospital doctors said Sanaullah sustained injuries to both legs, his back and other parts of his body, while Rabbi suffered injuries to his left leg and arm.
Local sources alleged that the violence stemmed from a dispute over control of dormitory seats, although the claim could not be independently verified.
Police remained deployed in the affected areas as authorities worked to prevent further clashes.
