Demra turns battlefield as students of three colleges clash

Violent clashes erupted between students of Government Shaheed Suhrawardy College and Kabi Nazrul Government College, and Dr Mahbubur Rahman Mollah College today (25 November), turning Demra of Old Dhaka into a battlefield.

Over 100 students from both sides were injured, according to hospital sources. 

In the clashes, Mohammad Nafi, an 11th-grade student from Mollah College, was shot and injured. He suffered gunshot wounds to his abdomen and cuts to his head. Nafi is currently receiving emergency treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

When asked about the gunshots, Dhaka Metropolitan Police Joint Commissioner Md Faruk Hossain told the media that police did not fire during the clash. He suspected the involvement of outsiders in the shooting incident.

The violence followed attacks and vandalism by Mollah College students on Sunday, who had targeted Kabi Nazrul and Suhrawardy colleges after protesting the alleged mistreatment of their peer, Abhijit Howlader, who died from suspected medical negligence at the National Medical Institute.

In response, Kabi Nazrul and Suhrawardy College students announced a "Mega Monday" protest, marching towards Mollah College. They initially threw stones and broke windows of Mollah College. 

In retaliation, Mollah College students and locals clashed with the protesters. By 2:30pm, police and military forces intervened. By 2:45pm, the protesters had dispersed.

The police have filed a case with Sutrapur Police Station against 8,000 students of various colleges including Mollah College on charges of vandalism and theft of magazines filled with bullets.

Besides, six platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh were deployed in the Jatrabari-Demra area on Monday following the clashes.

This is yet another episode in the recent wave of violence plaguing educational institutions nationwide. Over the past month, The Business Standard has reported dozens of such incidents. 

From seizing High Court premises to pressuring college principals and university teachers to step down, students from various institutions appear to be competing in acts of defiance, driven by excessive pride and a misguided sense of heroism. 

Omar Faruk, professor in the department of criminology and police science, Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University, told TBS that the recent unrest following the anti-discrimination student movement and the government's fall in a popular uprising is concerning. 

"In several incidents, students have been involved, and it often seems they're participating out of a sense of heroism. After such uprisings, students may begin to feel more powerful, believing they have a role in shaping outcomes or that they are part of the power structure 

If the state or government fails to control these situations effectively, there is little to be optimistic about in the future, added the professor.

False claims on casualties

Yesterday afternoon, Mollah College Managing Director Ashraf Samir issued a press release claiming that three of their students had died in the clashes. He also confirmed this over the phone when contacted by TBS. 

However, hours later, DMP Deputy Police Commissioner Muhammad Talebur Rahman clarified that reports of student deaths were false. He urged people to avoid spreading such misinformation. 

When contacted, Mollah College administration official Obaidur Rahman Mollah told TBS that he was unaware of any fatalities. "Many of our students and teachers have been injured, but our principal's press release does not mention any deaths."

Month of student protests

In October, students from seven government colleges under Dhaka University began a movement for the establishment of a fully autonomous public university. 

The government said a separate administrative system would be set up under Dhaka University for the seven colleges, although they would remain affiliated with the university.

Rejecting the government's decision, the students continued their protests, organising human chains, demonstrations, and boycotting all academic activities. 

They also held three-day rallies demanding an independent university. 

On 6 November, following assurances from the interim government's education adviser, the movement was temporarily suspended.

On 14 November, at Comilla University, a clash broke out between students of the public administration and pharmacy departments during an inter-departmental football tournament. 

Several students were injured in the incident.

On 18 November, a clash occurred at Rajshahi University between students from the law and marketing departments over a football match. 

The situation escalated into a violent standoff, with both sides wielding sticks and stones. To control the situation, the university canceled the next day's classes and exams.

Also on 18 November, Titumir College students blocked roads and railways demanding university status for their institution. After a two-and-a-half-hour break, they resumed the road blockade in the evening. 

The protests disrupted both road and rail traffic, halting transportation between the capital and other regions. Severe traffic congestion formed on the Mohakhali Flyover and the Airport Road, causing immense inconvenience for commuters throughout the day.

The next day, the students continued their protests. However, in the evening, the education ministry announced the formation of a five-member committee to assess the feasibility of converting Titumir College into a university. 

With this assurance, the students decided to suspend their movement temporarily.

On 20 November, students from City College clashed with students from Dhaka College after an alleged incident of vandalism involving a City College bus. Several students were injured in the altercation.

On 24 November, in Tejgaon, Dhaka, a clash occurred between students from Dhaka Polytechnic Institute and Bangladesh University of Textiles (BUTEX) following a dispute. 

At least 30 students were injured in the confrontation. Police and military forces intervened to disperse the students.