Students of the seven colleges affiliated with Dhaka University (DU) allegedly assaulted two DU students and vandalised a university bus on Thursday during a blockade at the Science Laboratory intersection.
The protesters were demonstrating for the second consecutive day, demanding the issuance of an ordinance for the formation of Dhaka Central University.
The blockade commenced at 12:45pm, and university authorities reported that the bus was vandalised around 2:30pm after being stranded by the demonstration. According to eyewitnesses, an argument broke out between DU students on the bus and the protesters.
Although the university’s proctorial team attempted to move the vehicle, stones and bricks were hurled from the rear, shattering glass and causing injuries to students.
Assistant Proctor Rafiqul Islam stated that the bus, named “Arjan,” sustained damage to its exterior and had two window-panes shattered.
He confirmed that two students were injured during the incident. The bus serves the route between the Institute of Leather Engineering and Technology in Hazaribagh and the main campus.
Kamrul Islam, Director of the Dhaka University Transport Office, informed journalists that the rear glass of the bus was completely shattered, and the door and exterior were also damaged.
A student named Sanvi Sangram, who was on the bus, claimed in a Facebook post that the protesters held the bus for two hours and physically assaulted the students. He specifically reported sustaining a head injury during the attack.
Video footage circulating on social media showed the bus being chased and pelted with bricks and shoes.
In response to the incident, Musaddiq Ali Ibne Muhammad, Literary Secretary of the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU), condemned the “brutal attack” on social media. He demanded that those involved be identified through video footage and brought to justice.
