Widespread violence in Dhaka: JCD and Shibir clash across the capital

Violence has erupted across the major educational institutes and a hospital in the capital on Tuesday (August 4). 

Clashes broke out between leaders and activists of Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra-dal (JCD) and Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir.

As per the latest report, more than 50 people were injured as tensions spread across Jagannath University, Government Shaheed Suhrawardy College, Kabi Nazrul Government College, Dhaka College, Science Lab area, Dhaka Alia Madrasa and Dhaka National Medical College Hospital. 

The dispute began at noon inside JnU central auditorium as University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman was present at an event there. Tensions flared when students displayed their placards showcasing three key demands.

The demands included implementation of second campus project through Bangladesh Army, building temporary student housing and improving medical services.

JACSU leaders alleged that a JCD activists led by Convener Mehedi Hasan Himel misbehaved with female students and snatched their posters.

This very incident quickly escalated into a chaotic situation which resulted in a clash across the campus. JACSU AGS Masud Rana and VP Riyazul Islam stated that JCD launched multiple attacks, injuring over 50 students. Around 15-20 were critically hurt.

Among the injured, JACSU AGS Abdul Alim Arif, Executive Member Abdullah Faruq (his leg was broken), and AGS Sirajul Islam. Videos later showed that JACSU VP Riyazul Islam and GS Abdul Alim Arif were being escorted out of the campus on rickshaws.

Meanwhile, assistant public Prosecutor visiting the campus was also assaulted after falsely labelling him as a Shibir activist. 

JCD JnU unit Member Secretary Shamsul Arefin rejected the allegations. He stated that a political organization was intentionally creating instability to obstruct ongoing development projects and student housing construction.

He alleged that Jamaat-Shibir was facing an image crisis and trying to divide students across various campuses to hide their own failures. Repeated phone calls to other JnU JCD leaders went unanswered.

The violence reached Dhaka National Medical College Hospital when injured students went there for treatment. Around 2:30PM, a group chanted slogans outside the hospital main gate, leading to fresh clashes.

Later, around 4:45PM, leaders and activists from BNP, Jubo Dal, and Dhaka City South JCD allegedly stormed the hospital's emergency department.

They attacked injured Shibir and Chhatra Shakti leaders undergoing treatment inside and outside the emergency unit. Witnesses reported that one injured person was dragged out of the emergency room and beaten.

Prof. Belal Hossain, a JnU Syndicate member, visited the hospital and described the incident as extremely unfortunate. He confirmed seeing over 50 injured students, many with head wounds. Police deployed extra forces to secure the hospital entrances, and several critically injured patients were shifted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

Simultaneously, violence broke out at Dhaka College. Sheikh Zahidul Islam, Deputy Commissioner of DMP’s Ramna Division, confirmed that JCD and Shibir activists clashed inside the campus, leaving several injured.

Police sources noted that tension spilled over to Dhaka College following an earlier scuffle at Jagannath University. Following the campus clash, JCD activists brought out a procession on the main road outside, while Shibir activists remained inside the campus.

Around 3:30PM, two crude bombs exploded in the nearby New Market area, though no casualties were reported.

By late afternoon, the conflict spread to the Science Lab intersection. Activists from both sides engaged in chase and counter-chase while hurling brickbats. Several individuals were injured before Shibir activists took positions at nearby intersections.

A separate violent conflict broke out at Dhaka Alia Madrasah in Bakshibazar around 4:00PM over taking control of student residential halls. Activists from JCD and Shibir clashed using domestic weapons.

Chases and counter-chases continued in front of the madrasa grounds past 5:15PM.

Social media videos showed multiple individuals bleeding on the ground before peers rescued them. Chakbazar Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Abdullah Al Mamun stated that police forces positioned themselves between the rival groups to control the situation.

Extra police personnel remain deployed across all affected campus areas to restore order.

As per latest report, JCD activists are protesting around DU campus area and Shahbagh.