Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) Commissioner Hasan Md Showkat Ali has pledged a thorough investigation into the role of law enforcement following violent clashes between student groups at the Government City College.
He assured that if any police negligence is found, strict legal action will be taken.
In a press briefing held at the CMP office in Laldighi on Wednesday between 11:30am and 12pm, Commissioner Showkat Ali stated that the police were actively investigating the clashes. “We are analysing CCTV footage to identify those responsible for the violence, and appropriate legal measures will be taken,” he said.
No arrests have been made so far, and neither of the parties involved-Chhatra Dal and Islami Chhatra Shibir-has filed any written complaints or formal charges.
Responding to questions about the police’s handling of the situation, Showkat Ali assured that an inquiry would be conducted into whether there was any negligence on the part of law enforcement during the clashes. “If any negligence is discovered, action will be taken in accordance with the law,” he added.
The CMP commissioner also noted that efforts were underway to identify individuals carrying weapons during the unrest and emphasised that police surveillance at educational institutions had been intensified to ensure security.
The clashes first erupted on Tuesday, after a confrontation between Chhatra Dal and Chhatra Shibir members in the morning. Later that afternoon, tensions flared again, with both groups throwing bricks and stones at each other.
In response, the college authorities decided to suspend internal classes and exams for the day. However, the degree second-year and master’s exams under the National University continued as planned.
The violence erupted after a piece of graffiti was inscribed on a wall at Government City College, reading “Student politics and Chhatra League-free campus.” Late on Monday night, a group of Chhatra Dal activists attempted to alter the phrase by replacing the word “student” with “gupto” (meaning “secret”), which sparked the first clash between the two student factions on Tuesday morning.
In recent Bangladeshi political discourse, the term “gupto” is commonly used to describe covert or behind-the-scenes activities carried out by rival political groups. It often implies conspiratorial actions or underground operations.
The term is frequently used as an accusation against opposition factions-such as Jamaat-e-Islami or, Awami League-suggesting they engage in secretive activities despite public bans or political shifts.
The situation escalated in the afternoon when Chhatra Shibir organised a protest march, which quickly turned violent.
Both sides were seen wielding sticks and throwing bricks in front of the college campus. While police were present at the scene, their passive response has been widely criticised.
On Wednesday morning, Shadik Kayem, the vice president of the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (Ducsu), who visited Chattogram to meet the injured students, echoed concerns over the police’s inaction during the unrest.
One of the victims, Chhatra Shibir activist Ashraful Islam, suffered severe injuries during the clashes. A video of Islam’s right ankle being severed went viral on social media, sparking widespread outrage and condemnation.
