Fresh clashes erupt between Dhaka College, Ideal College students a month after truce

Last month students from the two institutions had brokered an agreement to avoid disputes and violence

A month after students from Dhaka College and Ideal College brokered a “peace pact”, the two sides have clashed again.

A dispute on Tuesday over arguments and a scuffle eventually escalated to the vandalism of buses.

Since then, the two sides have been engaging in back-and-forth chases, according to New Market Police Station chief (OC) Mohammad Ayub.

“Around 8:30am, an issue led to a scuffle between two students from the two colleges. Then, around 9:30am, Ideal students vandalised two Dhaka College buses in the Science Lab area,” he said.

“When the Dhaka College students heard of this, they came out and began engaging in chases and counter-chases with the other side. At one point, Dhaka College students reached the area in front of Ideal College.”

Police personnel have been deployed in the area around noon to bring the situation under control, he said.

“We have brought the Dhaka College students back to their campus. The Ideal students are also inside their campus. Another police team is stationed there.”

Police are working to bring the situation under control and traffic is running normally, the OC added.

On Nov 9, under an initiative by the New Market Police Station, a verbal “peace pact” was adopted between the students of the two institutions. They promised not to become embroiled in further disputes.

Dhaka College, Ideal College and City College -- three of the capital’s most prominent educational institutions -- have long been known for their rivalries. Their frequent disputes often erupt into violent street brawls, causing major traffic disruptions and public distress around New Market.

Law-enforcing agencies have long had difficulty quelling these clashes.

Now, a month after the agreement was agreed, the two sides have come to blows once more.