Dhaka College-Ideal College Students Clash Again in Science Lab Area
A fresh outbreak of violence between students of Dhaka College and Ideal College disrupted the Science Lab area of the capital on Sunday afternoon, marking the latest episode in a recurring rivalry that has plagued the neighbourhood for years. The clash erupted around 12:30 PM near the southern end of Green Road, adjacent to the Science Lab intersection, a critical thoroughfare connecting key parts of the city. Eyewitnesses reported groups of students armed with sticks and bricks chasing each other through the streets, prompting panic among commuters and local shopkeepers who hastily shuttered their businesses. The violence brought vehicular movement on Green Road and surrounding arteries to a near standstill for nearly an hour, compounding the chronic traffic congestion that defines the area. Law enforcement personnel from the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) rushed to the scene, firing tear gas shells and charging with batons to disperse the warring factions. Senior police officials later characterised the incident as a "minor provocation" and assured the public that the situation was fully under control, with additional forces deployed to prevent any flare-up. However, the frequency of such confrontations raises serious questions about the effectiveness of existing preventive measures. Both institutions have a long history of territorial disputes, often triggered by trivial altercations that escalate rapidly due to the absence of robust conflict-resolution mechanisms. Educational authorities and local administration have repeatedly held peace meetings, yet the cycle of retaliation persists, endangering not only the students involved but also ordinary citizens caught in the crossfire. Urban planners and civil society groups argue that the root cause lies in the unchecked politicisation of student wings and the failure to enforce strict disciplinary codes within campuses. They demand a comprehensive strategy combining intelligence-led policing, mandatory counselling programmes, and strict legal action against instigators to break the pattern. Until then, the Science Lab intersection remains a flashpoint where academic rivalry spills onto public roads, holding the city's mobility and safety hostage to the whims of a few.
Key Highlights
- Violent clash breaks out between Dhaka College and Ideal College students near Science Lab intersection
- Traffic on Green Road halted for nearly an hour as groups chased each other with sticks and bricks
- Police deploy tear gas and baton charges; DMP terms incident 'minor provocation' and claims control
- Recurring rivalry endangers public safety and exposes failure of preventive peace initiatives
- Experts urge intelligence-led policing, campus disciplinary reforms, and legal action against instigators
Source: প্রথম আলো
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