Daffodil, City students in Savar escalate scuffle over spitting into clash; vehicles torched, offices vandalised
Repeated clashes between students of Daffodil International University and City University in Savar's Birulia Khagan area left multiple vehicles burned and extensive damage to property between late last night (26 October) and the early hours of today (27 October).
Witnesses said the incident began with an argument after a City University student allegedly spat near a Daffodil student passing by on a motorcycle outside a hostel occupied by Daffodil students.
An argument ensued between the two sides over this. The situation escalated when about 50 City University students reportedly attacked the rented accommodation of Daffodil students with brickbats and local weapons around 9pm, vandalising the premises.
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According to local sources, as videos of the attack circulated on social media, Daffodil students gathered in large numbers and advanced towards City University, triggering a series of violent confrontations between the two groups.
Brickbats were thrown and both sides engaged in counter-chasing until the early hours today.
Members of Daffodil's proctorial body arrived at the scene and informed the City University administration, urging them to intervene.
Meanwhile, around the same time, some City University students reportedly beat up a Daffodil student, and the clashes continued, spreading to the City University campus.
Daffodil students reportedly entered the campus after midnight, vandalising property and setting vehicles on fire.
Three university buses and one car were torched, while another bus, two cars, a motorcycle, and part of the administrative office were vandalised.
At around 9:30am, Sheikh Muhammad Ali, proctor of Daffodil University, told TBS, "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."
Daffodil University's Director of External Affairs, Syed Mizanoor Rahman, said, "The spit thrown by City University students accidentally hit the Daffodil student's body. The matter was resolved there with an apology. But the vandalism at the Daffodil students' rented accommodation at night is undesirable. The students of both universities are our children. We are trying to resolve the matter."
City University Proctor Professor Abu Zaid said, "We are still not sure how the incident started. Can fighting between students lead to burning down a campus? This is planned. The approximate number of our injured students could be fifty or more."
City University students claim that they did not receive any help from law enforcement as their campus was being vandalised.
Attempts to reach Md Jewel Mia, officer-in-charge of Savar Model Police Station, for comment were unsuccessful.
