DU bus vandalised, 2 students injured amid blockade by 7 colleges’ students

A bus of Dhaka University (DU) was vandalised at the Science Lab intersection in the capital on Thursday during a blockade enforced by students of seven government colleges, leaving at least two students injured.

The incident occurred around 2:30pm when a Dhaka University bus was halted due to the blockade, said witnesses.

They said an argument broke out between students travelling on the bus and the protesting students of the seven colleges.

When members of the university’s proctorial team arrived and were escorting the bus away from the area, bricks were thrown from behind, shattering the bus windows and damaging its exterior.

Assistant Proctor Rafiqul Islam said two windowpanes of the bus were broken after bricks were hurled at it and the outer part of the vehicle was also damaged.

Two DU students were injured in the incident, he said.

Later, at around 4:00pm Dhaka University students took position at Nilkhet intersection in protest.

Dhaka University Central Students’ Union Literary Secretary Musaddiq Ali Ibn Muhammad said in a Facebook post that Dhaka University students were attacked and their bus was vandalised under the guise of a movement.

He demanded that those involved in the attack be identified through video footage and brought to justice.

Students of the seven colleges blocked the Science Lab and Technical Mor intersections, demanding the swift approval of the updated draft ordinance on Dhaka Central University.

The blockade which began after 12:30pm caused severe traffic congestion and widespread public suffering.

Earlier on Wednesday, the students also observed blockade programmes at several locations in Dhaka.