Chhatra Dal-Shibir clash at Shahbagh Police Station; 2 Ducsu leaders assaulted
The victims were identified as Ducsu Social Welfare Secretary AB Zubair and Cultural Affairs Secretary Musaddiq Ali Ibne Mohammad.
A clash broke out between activists of Chhatra Dal and Chhatra Shibir at Shahbagh Police Station in the capital tonight (23 April).
Two leaders of the Dhaka University Central Students' Union (Ducsu) were assaulted in the incident, triggering tensions between the activists of the two organisations.
The victims were identified as Ducsu Social Welfare Secretary AB Zubair and Cultural Affairs Secretary Musaddiq Ali Ibne Mohammad.
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The development follows violent clashes between the two groups in Chattogram City College over altering a graffiti that had left several injured on Tuesday (21 April).
Meanwhile, at least five people were injured in a clash between the Chhatra Dal and Islami Chhatra Shibir at Ishwardi Government College in Pabna this afternoon, triggered by counter-programmes linked to the City College incident.
Besides, at Cumilla Government Polytechnic Institute, at least 10 people were injured in a clash between the same student groups.
According to eyewitnesses, the clash at Shahbagh Police Station erupted when Abdullah Al Mahmud, who contested for the Ducsu executive member post from a Shibir-backed panel, went to the police station to file a general diary (GD) over a "fake screenshot".
Speaking to TBS in front of the police station, Chhatra Dal leader Tanvir Al Hadi Mayed alleged that Mahmud posted an indecent and AI-generated photo on Facebook involving Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and his daughter Zaima Rahman. Tanvir also shared a "screenshot" of the alleged post on Facebook.
Fact-checking organisation Rumor Scanner, however, said the screenshot was "edited".
In its verified Facebook page, the organisation also revealed that the photo card was originally posted by a Facebook user named Eshan Chowdhury.
Tensions escalated on the police station premises, leading to a scuffle between the activists of the two student organisations.
The situation at the police station remained tense till the filing of this report.
Ramna Division Deputy Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police Masud Alam told The Business Standard that the clash was triggered by the offensive photocard.
Masud further said tensions rose once more when the Ducsu vice-president and general secretary arrived. The situation eventually returned to normal after the Chhatra Dal president came to the scene.
He said Chhatra Dal has filed a written complaint with the police over the photocard issue. The student whose account was used to share the post is currently in police custody, although he has not yet been able to file a GD.
The clash in Ishwardi took place this morning on the college campus. According to reports, activists of both organisations gathered on campus as part of pre-announced programmes, which led to rising tensions. At one stage, a chase and counter-chase broke out between the two sides, during which at least two crude bombs were detonated.
The injured, including members of both Chhatra Dal and Chhatra Shibir, received treatment at a local hospital.
Following the clash, Shibir activists brought out a procession and gathered in the Ishwardi Railgate area, where they staged a protest. They chanted slogans demanding punishment for those involved and condemned the incident.
Confirming the matter, Ishwardi Police Station Officer-in-Charge Asaduzzaman said additional police have been deployed in the Government College area to keep the situation under control.
Earlier, tension over "gupto" graffiti spread across public universities of the country as Chhatra Dal activists held wall-writing campaigns in different campuses.
Police trying to identify those wielding sharp weapons
Police are trying to identify the individuals who took part in the clash between Chhatra Dal and Chhatra Shibir at Chattogram Government City College carrying sharp weapons.
Based on analysis of photos and videos circulating on social media, along with conversations with relevant sources, it has emerged that multiple activists from both sides were actively involved in the violence using machetes and other weapons – some of whom were outsiders.
During the clash on 21 April, a young man in jeans was seen charging at opponents with a curved machete in his right hand. He was later identified as Mirza Faruk, member secretary of the Omar Gani MES University College unit of Chhatra Dal. Several other youths were also seen taking positions with locally made sharp weapons.
Md Tamim, a leader of Chattogram College Chhatra Dal, was seen with a stick. At the same time, Mohammad Sadeq Hossain, publicity secretary of the Tamakumundi Lane Traders' Association and a Jamaat supporter, was also seen actively participating with a stick.
Ashraful Islam, president of Ward No 12 under the Pahartali unit of Chhatra Shibir's Chattogram South wing and an honours student at City College, was seriously injured in the clash. His ankle was severely damaged. He was initially taken to a private hospital in the city where he underwent surgery, and was later transferred to Dhaka on Wednesday for advanced treatment.
Although several others were seen carrying sharp weapons during the violence, their identities could not be confirmed. Police said that even 48 hours after the incident, no complaint has been filed by either side, making it difficult to move forward with the investigation.
