Five students from Dhaka University (DU) sustained injuries when a mob attacked their "Khanika" bus at Uttara in the capital.
On Tuesday, the incident occurred at around 1:10 PM near Azampur at capital's Uttara as the vehicle travelled towards Gazipur on its regular Tongi-Gazipur route. Injured students received treatment at Crescent Hospital.
According to Sharmin Sheela, joint general secretary of Khanika bus, the violence erupted following a fatal accident on April 27. A BRTC bus reportedly struck and killed an SSC candidate crossing the road near BNS Centre in Uttara on April 27. In response, students from nearby schools blocked roads and targeted passing vehicles, including the university bus.
"As soon as our bus approached, a group suddenly smashed the side mirrors, dragged the driver out and started beating him," recounted one witness. "We stepped into calm the situation, but they began chasing us instead. They attacked with sticks, bricks, wood and whatever they could find."
DU Proctor Saifuddin Ahmed explained, "The attack was not targeted specifically at the university. They were attacking all buses. Four to five of our students were injured and have been taken to hospital. One is seriously injured."
Ashiq Joavn, an injured student, described the terrifying experience, "I called 999, but it didn't work due to the chaos. Police nearby deflected responsibility, citing jurisdiction. This was an attempted murder. I remain traumatised."
Sakib Ahmed from Anti-discrimination Students Movement called for a thorough investigation, "The attack must be investigated using CCTV footage to identify those involved. A group has long vilified Dhaka University students and today their targeted hate has taken a violent turn."
In the afternoon, Rezwan Ahmed Rifat, joint member secretary of DU unit of Bangladesh Ganotantrik Chhatra Sangsad (BDSC), reported that affected students were at Uttara West Police Station filing a General Diary about the incident. He stated approximately five university buses remained stranded in Uttara as students vowed not to leave until perpetrators were arrested.
Some students blame an online vlogger known as "MotoCop" for inflaming tensions through edited videos that allegedly portray the university negatively.
They have called for authorities to take legal action against individuals spreading anti-DU sentiment.
NRE/SH
