At least 14 people are undergoing treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) following a violent clash between New Market Thana Jubo Dal and Dhaka College unit Chhatra Dal over the placement of shops on the pavement in the capital’s New Market area.
The confrontation broke out at approximately 7:30pm on Tuesday. The injured initially received medical attention at Dhanmondi Popular Hospital before being transferred to DMCH at around 10:30pm.
According to the victims, the violence allegedly originated from a dispute regarding the collection of extortion money from makeshift shops situated on the footpath in front of Balaka Cinema Hall.
There are allegations that AKM Chanchal, member secretary of New Market Jubo Dal; Iftekhar, Convener of 18 No Ward Jubo Dal; and Member Secretaries Shahadat and Sohel, accompanied by Suman, Azim, and 40–50 others, launched an attack on several members of Dhaka College Chhatra Dal. The attackers reportedly used local weapons, including sticks and knives.
The conflict escalated after news of the assault reached the activists of the Millat Hossain group, the Member Secretary of Dhaka College Chhatra Dal.
Further clashes ensued when students moved toward Bashundhara Gali, adjacent to Priyangan Market, resulting in significant vandalism and triggering widespread panic in the locality.
The injured members from Dhaka College Chhatra Dal have been identified as Joint Convener Prince Khandakar, Suman Sikdar, Convener Member Sagar Khan, Saimon Islam, and members Mushfiqur Rahim, Jihadul Islam, Shakib Hasan, and Imran Hossain.
Those injured from the New Market Thana Jubo Dal (Chanchal Group) include Zakir, 50; Zakir, 38; Suman, 28; Shah Alam, 28; Idris, 45; and Rakib, 32.
Inspector Md Faruk, in-charge of the DMCH Police Camp, confirmed that 14 individuals had sought treatment at the hospital by 11pm. He noted that the number of casualties could rise as the injured continue to receive care at the emergency department.
