Police withdraw from Alia Madrasa as JCD holds position

Police personnel have been withdrawn from the area in front of Allama Kashgari (R) Hall at Dhaka’s Madrasah-e-Alia, while leaders and activists of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) have taken positions inside the residential hall.

The overall situation at the hall in Bakshibazar remained calm and normal on Saturday afternoon, with general students seen entering and leaving the premises after completing their necessary activities.

The main gate of the residential hall was open, allowing students to move in and out. However, JCD leaders and activists were stationed near the main entrance.

The development came amid reports that leaders and activists of Islami Chhatra Shibir were scheduled to enter the hall at around 12:30pm. However, no Shibir activists were seen at the premises until around 1:15pm.

The presence of JCD activists inside the hall and the anticipated arrival of Shibir members have drawn attention to the security situation on the campus, although there was no immediate report of any confrontation or violence.

Former general secretary of Dhaka Madrasah-e-Alia JCD Zahidur Rahman Joynal alleged that Shibir activists had attacked their fellow students and looted their belongings.

“They have bloodied our brothers. They looted us. We demand justice through a proper investigation,” he said.

Joynal also alleged that 35 laptops and Tk50,000 had been stolen from them and demanded that the belongings and money be recovered through an investigation.

He said JCD leaders and activists were holding a peaceful position programme against Shibir.

JCD activist Saad Chowdhury said the organisation’s central committee had instructed its leaders and activists to maintain a peaceful position at the hall.

“We do not want conflict. But any kind of extremist behaviour will not be tolerated,” he said.

The allegations made by the JCD representatives could not immediately be independently verified, and no statement from Islami Chhatra Shibir was immediately available in response.

Meanwhile, with police personnel no longer stationed directly in front of the hall, JCD activists remained near the entrance while ordinary students continued their regular movement.

The authorities are closely monitoring the situation to prevent any escalation between rival student groups. As of Saturday afternoon, the situation remained peaceful, with no immediate reports of clashes or disruptions to normal activities at the residential hall.