At least 13 injured as JnU students face off with locals, police in Old Dhaka

At least 13 people, including students, journalists and police personnel, were injured during a three-way clash between locals, police and students of Jagannath University (JnU) at the Murgitola intersection in Old Dhaka early Tuesday.

The incident occurred around 1:00am following a dispute over the alleged theft of a pair of shoes from the residence of Azharul Islam, a student of the university.

Azharul claimed he had paid his landowner early for the purpose of repairing his water line. The landowner called a plumber, Michael, to do the job. However, after the task, Michael demanded payment from Azharul who refused to pay up for the second time.

At one point, Michael went off with a pair of shoes of Azharul. Michael was identified through CCTV footage as the alleged snatcher.

Azharul pursued Michael, demanding the return of his shoes. Eventually, a scuffle broke out between the two. Later, Ashikur Rahman Ashik, son of the landowner, reached the spot of tensions and took the side of Michael, saying Azharul must pay up or leave his shoes.

Azharul alleged that Ashikur started beating him, causing a major head injury and bleeding. Hearing the news, Azharul’s classmates reached the spot and engaged in a heated exchange with Ashikur and Michael.

Hearing the commotion, locals took the side of the landowner’s son and the plumber, leading to a clash with the students.

Enraged by the incident, hundreds of students went to the area in search of those involved in the attack. The alleged attackers reportedly took shelter inside a nearby house, prompting the students to surround the building.

The Gendaria police arrived at the scene to contain tensions, and escorted the two suspects out under police protection. Later, the students allegedly attempted to snatch the suspects from police custody, triggering a confrontation between the police and the students.

Police later resorted to a baton charge to disperse the students, leaving at least eight students injured. Police also claimed that two to three police personnel were injured during the face-off.

Among the injured were Amar Desh reporter and Jagannath University Press Club General Secretary Limon Islam, and Dainik Somoy's JnU correspondent Apurba Roy. Other injured students include Anik Kumar Das, Sajib Mridha, Helal Uddin, Ashraful Islam and Sadman Mahmud.

Describing the incident, Apurba 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."

Commenting on the incident, JnU Proctor Professor Dr Nasir Uddin said, "I have been informed about the matter. Police cannot unjustifiably baton-charge students of my institution. We will discuss the issue with the higher authorities of the police."

Following the clash, students blocked the Murgitola intersection from around 2:30am to 3:30am, causing severe traffic congestion as hundreds of vehicles remained stranded.

Police later detained the main accused, Michael, along with Ashikur Rahman Ashik. They have been produced before a court through due legal process, police said.

Speaking on the matter, Gendaria Police Station Officer-in-Charge Moniruzzaman Khan said the incident stemmed from a dispute over the non-payment of a water line repair bill and the alleged theft of a pair of shoes.

"A scuffle broke out between the students and local residents. Later, police arrived at the scene and detained the persons accused of assaulting the students," the OC said, claiming that the situation escalated when the students allegedly tried to snatch one detained suspect from police custody.

Regarding the baton charge on the students and journalists, he said, "The students could have avoided trying to snatch the accused. The incident occurred late at night, and it was not possible to pay attention to every individual. Two to three of our police personnel were also injured."

Demra Zone Assistant Deputy Commissioner Mir Muhasin said that the students chased the police with bamboo sticks, prompting the personnel to baton charge in self-defence.