Police on high alert at Science Lab fearing student clashes

Water cannons have also been kept ready at the busy intersection.

By noon, more than 100 students of Dhaka Central University had gathered at the Science Lab intersection as part of their protest.

Earlier, around 11AM, students gathered at Dhaka College to protest the appointment of the university’s new vice-chancellor. They later marched to the Science Lab intersection and took up a position there.

New Market Police Station OC Md Ayub said there had been some tension between students of Dhaka College and Ideal College in the Science Lab area, prompting the police deployment.

“Police are stationed at Science Lab to prevent any untoward incident. We are taking measures to ensure that the situation does not escalate.''

The police official said they had spoken with the authorities of both colleges and that the students were currently inside their respective campuses.

“We have taken a firm position so that no one from outside can throw stones or bricks at the students,” he said.

Around 60 police personnel have been deployed at Science Lab, while additional teams from New Market, Kalabagan and Dhanmondi police stations have been positioned at different points in the area, according to the OC.