Dhaka College, Ideal College students clash near Science Lab

Students of Dhaka College and Ideal College were involved in a clash on Sunday, disrupting traffic movement in the capital’s Science Lab area.
The clash occurred around 12:15pm at the southern end of Green Road, near Science Lab intersection. Police later controlled the situation. Dhaka College Principal Prof AK Elias said he heard that Ideal College students tried to vandalise a Dhaka College bus passing Science Lab. He said a clash then occurred, injuring three Dhaka College students.
The principal said the college had contacted New Market and Dhanmondi police since morning over fears of a clash and requested necessary action. Teachers were also sent to prevent students from fighting, he added. A Dhaka College student, speaking anonymously, said Ideal College students attacked a Dhaka College bus near LabAid Hospital around 11:30am, breaking its windows and injuring three students.
On the other hand, an Ideal College student said Dhaka College students attacked them first, injuring several students in the head. Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP)’s New Market Zone Additional Deputy Commissioner Shawkat Ali said there was no major clash. He said some Dhaka College students came out intending to go towards Ideal College. Tension was later eased through police intervention and teachers’ help. Clashes between the two colleges are not new. They were involved in at least 15 clashes last year. On 9 November, students reached a verbal “peace agreement” through New Market police.
Meanwhile, many police were deployed around Science Lab at noon during a student programme protesting the appointment of new Dhaka Central University vice-chancellor. Over 100 university students took positions there.
New Market OC Md Ayub said police were deployed to prevent further tension. About 60 police personnel from New Market, Kalabagan and Dhanmondi stations were deployed separately. On Saturday, Prof Dr Md Nurul Islam was removed as Dhaka Central University VC and appointed Jahangirnagar University VC. Prof Md Lutfor Rahman, National University pro-VC, was appointed Dhaka Central University VC.