Students, traders clash again at Dhaka College gate
Students and shop employees clashed again in Dhaka's new market area this evening after the authorities of Dhaka College announced closure of student halls till 5 May.
At least dozens, including journalists, were injured in the clashes that ensued around 10am Tuesday (19 April).
The students and traders reportedly attacked at least 10 journalists including RTV cameraperson Sumon Dey, Dipto TV reporter Asif Sumit, MyTV reporter Danny Drong, SA TV reporter Tuhin and cameraman Kabir Hossain. Few others were also injured by the brickbats thrown by the clashing groups.
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An ambulance also came under attack while crossing Dhaka College from Nilkhet area.
The students complained that traders and shop employees vandalised the ambulance which was carrying an injured student of Dhaka College.
Students from Dhaka University and Government Bangla College have also joined the students of Dhaka College.
Police have been throwing tear shells to control the situation.
Whereas, some students took position at the Science-lab intersection where they started vandalising buses.
Students had also set fire in front of the capital's Noorjahan Market. Two units of fire service are working to douse the fire.
Police have intercepted the clashing groups but are reportedly trying to chase the students away. Whereas, the traders are throwing brickbats at the students.
"We were supposed to form a human chain in the morning but before we could they [traders] attacked us. They attacked our teachers as well", said one of the student protestors at Nilkhet.
About the law enforcers he said, "We have informed the police but they did not help us. Whereas, yesterday night they [police] attacked us after taking the side of the traders and severely injured more than 50 students."
Assistant Commissioner (New Market zone) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police Sharif said," I am currently undergoing treatment at a hospital after suffering injuries while controlling the situation last night."
"The students were to protest against the attack this morning too and some of them had said they would not let the traders open their shops until the perpetrators of last night's alleged attack was brought to justice," he added.
At least 40 people have been injured in the clashes so far. Of them, 29 are undergoing treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH). Two of them are in critical condition, according to doctors.
The clash between the students and some traders started around 12am last night.
The intense situation persisted for around two and a half hours with chases and counter chases taking place during the time.
Police then dispersed the crowd using rubber bullets. Several students were severely injured during this time.
However, the reason for the clash is still not clear. Following the clash, Dhaka College authorities postponed all classes and exams of 19 April.
Several Dhaka College students claimed that one of their classmates was attacked by the traders of New Market on Monday night. Protesting the incident, hundreds of students from the campus rushed to the spot and attacked the marketplace with locally made weapons.
Meanwhile, contrary to the claims made by the students, the shop owners said that some students of Dhaka College came to eat at a fast-food shop in New Market.
An altercation ensued as they reportedly tried to leave without paying the bill. At one point the students started attacking and vandalising the shops, they added.
