A clash broke out between police and students of Jagannath University (JnU) at the Murgitola intersection in Old Dhaka, leaving at least 13 people injured, including journalists and police personnel. The injured were taken to Dhaka National Medical Institute Hospital and the Central Police Hospital (CPH) in Rajarbagh for treatment.
The incident occurred around 1:00am on Tuesday (July 7). Among those injured were Amar Desh reporter and General Secretary of the Jagannath University Press Club, Limon Islam, Dainik Shomoy Jagannath University correspondent Apuorbo Roy, along with at least 10 others.
According to eyewitnesses, the incident stemmed from the alleged theft of a pair of shoes from the residence of Ashraful Islam, a 19th-batch student of the Department of Law and Land Administration.
A local man named Michael was identified through CCTV footage as the alleged thief. Several Jagannath University students detained him, but local residents gathered and forcibly freed him before allegedly attacking the students.
Angered by the incident, several hundred students went in search of those involved in the attack. The alleged attackers reportedly took shelter inside a nearby house. Students surrounded the building in an attempt to apprehend them.
When police arrived at the scene, they escorted the accused individuals out under police protection. As students attempted to seize the alleged attackers from police custody, a confrontation broke out between the students and the police. Police then resorted to baton charges to disperse the crowd, leaving at least eight students injured.
Describing the incident, injured journalist and Dainik Shomoy Jagannath University correspondent Apuorbo Roy said, "I was taking photographs of the incident when a police officer suddenly started beating me with a baton. I sustained injuries to my leg and other parts of my body."
Azharul Islam, a 19th-batch student of the Department of Law, said, "I was standing peacefully, but the police suddenly attacked us. I suffered a head injury and required three stitches."
Jagannath University Proctor Professor Dr. Nasir Uddin said, "I have heard about the incident. The police cannot unjustifiably baton-charge students of my institution. We will discuss the matter with senior police officials."
