Suhrawardy, Kabi Nazrul colleges shut following clashes

Authorities have announced the closure of Government Shaheed Suhrawardy College for two days and Kabi Nazrul Government College for one day following violent clashes and vandalism surrounding the death of Dr. Mahbubur Rahman Mollah College student Avijit Halder, allegedly due to medical negligence.

The decision came amid ongoing clashes between students of the three colleges on Monday.

Principal of Suhrawardy College Dr. Kakoli Mukherjee confirmed the suspension of academic activities, stating, "Classes will remain suspended on Monday and Tuesday. The Honours final examination scheduled for tomorrow has also been postponed as per the decision of Dhaka University."

Kakoli expressed her frustration, saying, "No law enforcement has been deployed on our campus since yesterday (Sunday). I am currently in Jatrabari, where some of my students are trapped. They need to be rescued, but due to security concerns, law enforcement is not allowing me to enter."

Earlier, a notice signed by Kakoli on Sunday announced the suspension of all academic activities at Suhrawardy College on November 25 and 26 due to unavoidable circumstances. Similarly, Kabi Nazrul Government College issued a notice on its website, declaring the suspension of classes on Tuesday (November 26).

The unrest began after the death of Avijit Halder, son of Nagen Halder and Monimala Halder, who was admitted to the medicine department of Dhaka National Medical Institute Hospital on November 16 with dengue shock syndrome. He passed away two days later. Students blamed the hospital for medical negligence, which led to protests and a blockade at the hospital on November 20 and 21.

On Sunday, enraged students vandalized the hospital, as well as Suhrawardy and Kabi Nazrul colleges, in response to Avijit’s death. Students from over 35 colleges in Dhaka reportedly joined the protests.

In response, students of Suhrawardy and Kabi Nazrul colleges declared a "Mega Monday" protest. On Monday, hundreds of students from both colleges attacked Mollah College in Jatrabari, leading to extensive vandalism starting at noon. The situation escalated into violent clashes involving students from the three colleges and local residents.

To control the situation, six platoons of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) were deployed in the Jatrabari and Demra areas later in the afternoon.