Around 100 people were injured in a clash between students in Jatrabari

Violence erupted in Dhaka's Jatrabari today as students from Government Shaheed Suhrawardy College, Kabi Nazrul Government College, and Dr. Mahbubur Rahman Mollah College clashed, resulting in approximately 100 injuries. Hospital sources reported that the injured were treated at nearby medical facilities, with 40 receiving care at Dhaka National Medical College Hospital, 20 at Dhaka Medical College Hospital, and others at Royal Max Hospital, Famous Hospital, and Dhaka Islamia General Hospital.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police's Deputy Commissioner of Media and Public Relations, Muhammad Talebur Rahman, issued a statement clarifying that around 25 people were injured, refuting claims circulating on social media that two people had died in the clash. The DMP urged people to refrain from spreading such misinformation.

The conflict began around midday when several hundred students from Shaheed Suhrawardy and Kabi Nazrul Colleges launched an attack on Dr. Mahbubur Rahman Mollah College. The attackers vandalized the college building and looted valuables before engaging in a chase-and-counter-chase with the Mollah College students, leading to the violent clash.

By 1:20 pm, the students from Shaheed Suhrawardy and Kabi Nazrul Colleges had left, and by 2:00 pm, the police and army were deployed to the scene. Assistant Commissioner of Wari Zone, Saiful Islam, confirmed that multiple injuries had occurred and stated that efforts were being made to control the situation.

Ashraf Sameer, Managing Director of Mollah College, told The Daily Star that the attackers, who were described as "so-called students," assaulted students and teachers during class hours, leaving more than 100 people injured and requiring medical attention. He condemned the attack and called for a thorough investigation and justice.

Saleh Uddin, Deputy Commissioner of Wari Division of the DMP, assured that those responsible would be arrested within 24 hours and a case would be filed.

In response to the escalating violence, six platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) were deployed to the Jatrabari area. This clash followed a similar attack the previous day, when several thousand students from various colleges, including Mollah College, had attacked Suhrawardy and Kabi Nazrul Colleges in Old Dhaka.

Today’s violence saw students from Kabi Nazrul and Suhrawardy Colleges, armed with sticks and iron rods, march toward Mollah College for a retaliatory strike. During the clash, students physically assaulted each other and threw bricks. Additional police forces were dispatched to restore order.

The violence stems from ongoing tensions, including the death of Mollah College student Avijit on November 18 due to alleged medical negligence. After his death, protests were held at Dhaka National Medical College Hospital, and Suhrawardy and Kabi Nazrul students attacked the demonstrators from Mollah College on November 21.

This led to further protests, culminating in a large gathering of students from multiple colleges in front of the hospital and later at Kabi Nazrul College. During these protests, clashes continued, and there was panic at Suhrawardy College due to ongoing university exams. Protesters vandalized vehicles on the college campus, adding to the unrest.