Dhaka Alia students leaving halls in fear
Students breaking hall windows to take their belongings out. Picture: Agamir Somoy
Fear has gripped the campus of Government Alia Madrasa in the capital’s Chawkbazar area following clashes and chases between activists of Jatiotabadi Chhatra Dal and Islami Chhatra Shibir. Although final exams are scheduled for tomorrow, many students were seen taking their essential belongings out through windows.
During a visit to the campus, it was seen that adequate police had been deployed in the campus area amid the tension. The gates of the residential halls have also been kept closed for the safety of general students amid the tense situation. As of the filing of this report, no one is being allowed to enter or leave. During this time, many students were seen taking their belongings out through windows and leaving the halls.
DMP Joint Commissioner Mohammad Mohidul Islam speaking. Picture: Agamir Somoy
An unnamed student told Agamir Somoy, “I just came back after taking the exam. As soon as I came out after the exam, my roommate called and told me to take all my belongings out of the hall. So, I am leaving. I am going to a relative’s house now.”
After the situation came under control in the evening, Dhaka South Chhatra Dal leader Niaz Hossain told reporters, “You cannot label someone as Chhatra Dal, beat them just because they are Chhatra Dal, or engage in homosexuality on the university campus. These things cannot continue. We want general students to be able to stay safely on campus. I hope there will be no fighting simply by labeling someone as Chhatra Dal.”
Regarding the law and order situation, Dhaka Metropolitan Police Joint Commissioner Mohammad Mohidul Islam said, “At present, both sides are calm. Joint Police Commissioner Mohidul.”
Chhatra Dal leaders speaking. Picture: Agamir Somoy
The chase between Shibir and Chhatra Dal began at around 4 pm Tuesday. The tense situation continued intermittently in several rounds until the evening. Two Chhatra Dal leaders were seriously injured in the clashes. The injured are Sanaullah (30), former senior joint convener of the Government Alia Madrasa Chhatra Dal unit, and Nichar Uddin Rabbi (27), member secretary of Lalbagh Thana Chhatra Dal and joint general secretary of Dhaka South Metropolitan Chhatra Dal. They are currently receiving treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital.
Eyewitnesses and hospital sources said Sanaullah and Rabbi were standing and talking inside the madrasa campus in the afternoon. At that time, 30 to 40 Shibir activists suddenly attacked them with rods, sticks and bricks. Both suffered bloody injuries. Later, other students on the campus rescued them and took them to the emergency department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital at around 4:30 pm.
