Clash between Dhaka and City College students: Violence erupts in city again

Staff Reporter :

Students of Dhaka College and Dhaka City College were involved in violent clashes once again at the Science Lab intersection on Tuesday morning, marking the second such incident in just over a week.

According to police sources, the altercation began around 11:45 am when students from the two educational institutions engaged in chasing each other and hurling brickbats. Several individuals were also seen brandishing sticks during the confrontation.

Law enforcement authorities intervened to disperse the students by using batons and firing tear gas shells.

Additional police personnel were deployed to stabilise the situation and ensure the students returned to their respective campuses.

The incident brought vehicular movement to a standstill on both sides of the road, causing significant traffic congestion in the area. However, later in the day, police stated that traffic had returned to normal despite the earlier disturbances.

The exact cause of Tuesday’s altercation remains unclear. New Market Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mohsin Uddin reported that tensions escalated when a group of Dhaka College students approached City College premises and began throwing stones and brick chips.

This marks a continuation of hostilities between the two institutions, following a similar incident on 15 April reportedly triggered by a trivial dispute. Authorities have acknowledged that such clashes have been occurring with increasing frequency.

In response to the renewed violence, Dhaka City College has announced a temporary closure for two days – Wednesday (23 April) and Thursday (24 April). The decision was confirmed by Acting Vice-Principal F M Mobarak Hossain at approximately 3:24 pm on Tuesday.

Police and college authorities are urging restraint and cooperation from students to prevent further escalations.