Photo: Messenger
Dhaka University was embroiled in violence on Monday as clashes between the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) and general students raged from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM, resulting in more than 250 students being injured. BCL members, including external affiliates, were accused of attacking students with rods, sticks, and helmets.
On the ground, it was observed that the Chhatra League locked the gates of all university halls starting from 11:30 AM. At one point, students broke the locks of some halls and gathered at the VC Chattar. However, BCL members quickly descended upon them from all directions, leading to a violent confrontation.
Within 10 minutes, signs of the clash were evident in the VC Chattar area: hundreds of women’s shoes were strewn about, and blood stains were visible in several places. The Chhatra League continued to dominate the campus until 5:00 PM, brandishing makeshift weapons.
The violence extended to the Shahidullah Hall area from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Eyewitnesses reported seeing a BCL member firing at ordinary students from within a procession, followed by 5-6 cocktail explosions. Additionally, at around 7:00 PM, BCL members attacked students who had been admitted to the emergency department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital.
The situation remains tense as students and faculty alike seek resolution and accountability for the violence that erupted on campus.
Shooting Incident at Shahidullah Hall:
On Monday afternoon, a youth dressed in black pants, black shoes, and a helmet was seen pointing a firearm at protesting students in the Shahidullah Hall area. The identity of this individual remains unknown. General students allege that the shooter was part of the BCL section, suggesting that he was a follower of the Chhatra League.
Chhatra League Attacks Injured Students at Dhaka Medical College Hospital:
In a disturbing incident, Chhatra League members assaulted injured protesting students inside the Dhaka Medical College Hospital's emergency department. Around 7:30 PM on Monday evening, 20-25 BCL activists, armed with sticks, forced their way into the emergency room. They began beating the injured students and their companions. Terrified students sought refuge in various hospital rooms, but BCL members pursued and assaulted them.
During the attack, hospital staff and Ansar members asked the BCL activists to leave, but their pleas were ignored. The attackers finally left the hospital at 7:27 PM, prompting hospital staff to close the building's doors. Despite this, the Chhatra League resumed their attack shortly afterward, with most members wearing helmets and carrying sticks.
Violence Erupts at Dhaka University:
Chankharpool area, Dhaka Medical College, and Shahidullah Hall have turned into battlegrounds amidst clashes between Chhatra League and ordinary students since 5:30 PM. The confrontation continued into the evening, with numerous injured students seen bleeding as they were rushed to Dhaka Medical College. At least three times, Chhatra League forces were forced to retreat from pursuing ordinary students. By 6:30 PM, bricks were being hurled from Shahidullah Hall's roof at Doel Square, hindering the advance of BCL leaders and activists gathering at Doel Chatwar. The area lacked police presence, with tensions escalating between BCL members wearing helmets and carrying batons attempting to breach the area between Shahidullah Hall and Burn Institute. Despite these efforts, agitators on the hall's gates and rooftop countered with brick throwing, and police were notably absent.
Over 250 Injured in Violent Clashes:
More than 250 individuals sustained injuries during the Chhatra League's assault on protesters at Dhaka University. The injured began arriving at Dhaka Medical College Hospital from 4 PM on Monday, receiving treatment through the evening. Nahid Islam, coordinator of the anti-discrimination student movement, expressed concern over the attacks, attributing them to efforts by Chhatra League and external agitators to quell their movement.
Chhatra League Attacks Students with Rods, Sticks: Leaders and activists of the Chhatra League initiated an assault on protesting students at Dhaka University, starting at 3 PM on Monday. Female students sought refuge on a bus in the university's VC Square upon seeing the Chhatra League members wielding sticks and other weapons, from where they were attacked. The students dispersed following the assault. Subsequently, Chhatra League members continued practicing with various weapons across the campus. Asif Mahmud, coordinator of the protesting students, reported that at least two hundred students were injured. Leaders and activists from SM Hall Chhatra League, Jagannath Hall Chhatra League, and Mahanagar Dakshin Chhatra League were observed rehearsing with hockey sticks and other implements. Chhatra League members from different parts of the city and outsiders marched from Raju Bhaskarja to Dhaka Medical College, surrounding the medical center's entrance and preventing injured students from entering. Sheikh Wali Inan announced at Raju Bhaskarja around 5:30 PM for everyone to gather at Doel Square. Dr. Muhammad Shahidullah Chhatra League and Fazlul Haque Muslim Chhatra League leaders and activists were seen taking positions in Doel Chatwar and Medical Mor area.
Around 2:30 PM, a group of protesting students began their usual march towards the halls of Dhaka University. By around 3:00 PM, reports surfaced that bricks were being hurled at the procession near Vijay Ekattor Hall.
Upon hearing this, the protesting students, including women, gathered at Raju Bhaskarja and marched towards Vijay Ekattor Hall. At the hall gate, Chhatra League leaders and activists, equipped with helmets, batons, and hockey sticks, threw bricks at the students. Leaders and activists from neighboring halls such as Poet Jasimuddin Hall, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall, and Freedom Fighter Ziaur Rahman Hall also joined in, wielding sticks and attacking the students. A clash ensued with bricks being exchanged between the two sides.
Rajibul Islam Bappi, President of Dhaka Metropolitan South Chhatra League, along with leaders and workers armed with batons, steel pipes, hockey sticks, and thick wooden rods, took a stand at Madhur Canteen. They were joined by a large group of outsiders, most of whom were wearing helmets. From the shadows of Dhaka University, they ambushed students as they passed by the mall area. Additionally, outsiders from Surjasen Hall, the administration building, and the VC premises attacked protesting students with batons and steel pipes, prompting the students to flee towards Fuller Road through VC Square. Female students, in particular, faced severe difficulties as outsiders assaulted them with hockey sticks. It is alleged that not only Dhaka Metropolitan South but also leaders and activists from Dhaka College and surrounding districts participated in the attack on Dhaka University students.
Messenger/Disha
