Bangladesh: Violent Clash In Dhaka Leaves Several Injured, Including Journalists | World News

According to local media reports, many people, including journalists, were injured in Bangladesh following a violent clash between Dhaka University (DU) and Dhaka College students in the capital’s Nilkhet and New Market areas on Monday. The unrest, which broke out over a dispute over setting up of shops on the footpath in front of DU’s Shahnewaz Hostel, later escalated into a chase and counter-chase between the two parties.

Bangladesh’s leading daily newspaper The Business Standard reported, citing eyewitnesses, that both groups hurled bricks and stones, creating a chaotic scene in the area.

Reports suggest that explosions occurred during the violence, DU students demanded increased security, and the police intervened to maintain order.

Confirming the development, Mohammad Jahangir, Deputy Commissioner of New Market District of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), said, “An argument broke out and led to a clash. Additional forces had to be called due to insufficient police presence at night. The situation was brought under control around 2.30 am.”

Regarding the reported explosions, a senior police official said it was not confirmed whether the explosives were crude bombs.

Following the incident, Shahnewaz hostel students gathered in front of the DU Vice-Chancellor’s residence, called for security and chanted slogans: “There are cocktails in our hall while the administration sleeps.”

Bangladesh’s leading newspaper, The Daily Star, quoted Mehraz Zaman Hira, who lives in Shahnewaz hostel, as saying: “Around 1am, some Dhaka College students tried to vacate the shops in front of the hostel gate and vandalized a few of them. When our students protested, they attacked us and later returned with more people, hurling bricks at the hostel and causing three explosions in front of the hostel.” they became.” he says.

Another DU student said, “Dhaka College students tried to occupy the front of our hall by setting up shops. When we resisted, they attacked us indiscriminately and imprisoned us for about 3 hours. They threw bottles, bricks and 3 container bombs. We did not get any support from the DU administration.”

Bangladesh has been plagued by numerous protests and extreme lawlessness since the democratically elected government of the Awami League led by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was ousted during violent protests last year.