A clash erupted between the students of Dhaka College and Ideal College on Tuesday.
Jannatul Ferdaus, photojournalist of TIMES of Bangladesh, reported that police fired sound grenades and teargas shells to bring the situation under control.
The incident occurred around 11am in Dhaka’s Science Lab area.
Students of Dhaka College and Ideal College had signed a verbal “peace agreement” a month ago to put an end to clashes and promote a sense of brotherhood. But exactly one month later, the two groups have once again engaged in violent confrontation.
New Market Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mohammad Ayub said a group of Ideal College students allegedly hurled bricks at a Dhaka College bus while it was passing in front of Labaid Hospital. The incident triggered the fresh round of clashes.
Around 12pm, the OC said, “We have persuaded the Dhaka College students to return to their campus. Ideal College falls under the jurisdiction of Kalabagan Police Station, and police there are working to bring the situation under control.”
Kalabagan Police Station Inspector (Investigation) Rafiqul Islam told TIMES, “The violence began after Dhaka College students attacked a student of Ideal College. In retaliation, students of Ideal College intercepted a Dhaka College bus at Science Lab and vandalised it. In response, Dhaka College students moved towards Ideal College, leading to clashes in front of the institution.”
Earlier, on 9 November, a verbal “peace deal” was brokered between students of Dhaka College and Ideal College through the mediation of New Market police. At the time, both sides pledged to refrain from further violence.
However, the agreement was violated on 2 December, when students from the two colleges were involved in another scuffle.
According to sources, the altercation began when students from both institutions exchanged heated words while travelling on the same bus. As tensions escalated, Ideal College students advanced towards Dhaka College.
Moments later, a clash broke out in front of Uttara Bank near Dhaka College.
