Dozens of people, including policemen, students, were injured in a clash between the students at Dhaka College and Dhaka City College at Science Lab and adjacent areas of the capital on Thursday afternoon.
AKM Mahfuzul Haque, officer-in-charge of New Market Police Station, the students at both colleges locked in clashes in New Market area at around 11am. On information, additional police members have been deployed in the area.
According to the witnesses, the students at City College chased the Dhaka College students, triggering a clash. To control the situation, police charged baton to disperse the students. The law enforcers also lobbed tear gas shells and fired sound grenades to bring the situation under control.
At one stage, some students hurled brick chips targeting law enforcers, leaving 15-20 policemen and several students injured.
Due to the clashes, vehicular movement in Science Laboratory area remained suspended for three and a half hour.
Shah Muhammad Tariquzzaman, assistant commissioner (AC) of Dhanmondi Police, said that the injured have been admitted to Popular Medical College Hospital, Labaid Hospital, and Dhaka Medical College Hospital.
Some sources said that on August 19, City College students reportedly beat several Dhaka College students over seating arrangements at a coaching centre. In response of the incident, the two groups clashed again on Thursday, they added.
However, students of the two colleges frequently engage in clashes, causing severe traffic congestion in the busy area.
Earlier, on January 19 this year, one student was injured in a clash between Dhaka College and City College students. Then on February 20, another clash broke out due to an attack on Dhaka College students. At least 50 students and pedestrians were injured in the clash on March 18.