A clash between students of Dhaka College and City College erupted in the Science Laboratory area of the capital on Wednesday (November 20) around 2:30pm and continued unabated for over two hours.
As of 4:30pm, the situation remains volatile, with students engaged in repeated chases, counter-chases, and stone-throwing.
City College students have taken positions in front of their campus, while Dhaka College students are gathered at the Science Lab intersection. Despite efforts by police and army personnel to calm the situation, tensions remain high.
The unrest began over allegations that City College students attacked and vandalized a Dhaka College bus near the Science Lab intersection. City College students, however, denied the allegations, claiming instead that Dhaka College students ambushed their campus.
The conflict reportedly escalated from an incident on Tuesday when Dhaka College students allegedly snatched the ID card of a City College student. In retaliation, a Dhaka College student was beaten near City College around noon on Wednesday. Later, Dhaka College students retaliated by attacking City College and damaging a CCTV camera.
The situation reached a boiling point when a Dhaka College bus was attacked and vandalized as it passed in front of City College, prompting Dhaka College students to retaliate en masse.
Traffic through the busy Science Lab intersection has been completely halted, causing significant inconvenience to commuters. Law enforcement is struggling to control the large groups of students.
At least 13 of the injured people in the clashes and have been taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for treatment. All are currently being treated in the emergency department of DMCH.
The situation remains fluid, with law enforcement actively working to restore order.