Tensions run high at Dhaka Polytechnic as JCD, Shibir hold counter-rallies after clashes

A struggle for dominance at the student accommodation triggers confrontation between the two student groups

Tensions have remained high at Dhaka Polytechnic Institute as Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) and Islami Chhatra Shibir have held counter-rallies following a night of violence.

The violence, which erupted around 12:30am on Tuesday at the institute’s Latif Hostel, left at least nine students injured.

Police and witnesses said a struggle for dominance over the student accommodation between the student wings of the ruling BNP and the opposition party Jamaat-e-Islami fueled the confrontation.

Tejgaon Industrial Zone Police chief Mahmudur Rahman said the two student organisations clashed several times before police brought the situation under control.

No arrests have been made until Tuesday afternoon in connection with the violence, with both groups blaming each other for their demonstrations.

The Shibir activists took to the streets at approximately 12pm.

Later, around 3:15pm, nearly 200 JCD activists marched in nearby streets protesting against the early morning violence.

Addressing a brief rally, JCD leaders demanded "justice" for the attack, threatening to launch "stringent programmes" if their demands were not met.

Additional police have been deployed on the campus to prevent escalation.