City University declared closed till 4 Nov after clashes with Daffodil students in Savar

City University has suspended all classes, examinations, and academic activities until 4 November amid heightened tension following overnight clashes with Daffodil International University students in Savar's Birulia Khagan area.

All academic activities will remain closed due to unavoidable reasons, the university said in a notice issued today (27 October).

The students of all four residential halls have been asked to vacate their dormitories by 6pm today.

Earlier in the day, City University Vice-Chancellor Brig Gen (retd) Prof Dr Engr Md Lutfor Rahman told the media that the academic activities would remain suspended till Thursday.

"Considering the unusual situation, all academic activities have been suspended until Thursday," he said.

Repeated clashes between students of the two private universities left several vehicles burned and significant property damage from late last night (26 October) through the early hours of today.

Witnesses said the conflict began when a City University student allegedly spat near a Daffodil student passing by on a motorcycle outside a hostel occupied by Daffodil students. 

An argument broke out, which quickly escalated when about 50 City University students reportedly attacked the Daffodil students' rented accommodation around 9pm with brickbats and sticks, vandalising the premises.

As videos of the attack spread on social media, large numbers of Daffodil students gathered and advanced toward City University, leading to hours of violent confrontations, counter-chasing, and vandalism.

Members of Daffodil's proctorial body reportedly informed City University authorities, seeking immediate intervention. However, the clashes intensified when a Daffodil student was allegedly beaten by City University students, prompting Daffodil students to storm the City University campus after midnight.

During the rampage, three university buses and one car were set on fire, while another bus, two cars, a motorcycle, and parts of the administrative building were vandalised.

Around 9:30am, Daffodil University Proctor Sheikh Muhammad Ali told The Business Standard, "Nine of our students are still being held captive at City University. We are trying to resolve the matter. Approximately 150 Daffodil students were injured in this incident."

Both universities later confirmed that 11 detained Daffodil students were handed over to the Daffodil administration around 2:30pm. However, Daffodil authorities claimed that the students had suffered severe injuries from the beatings.