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Police clashed with students at Jahangirnagar University (JU), resulting in over hundred students being injured by tear gas and rubber bullets.
The confrontation occurred on Wednesday evening.
The students were outraged when the JU administration announced the closure of all educational programmes and residential halls, leading to protests against the decision.
As a result, the Vice-Chancellor, along with other syndicate members and teachers, was blocked inside the Registrar's building by the students.
Meanwhile, some agitated students ransacked the registrar's building, prompting a large police deployment at the university. Additionally, numerous RAB, BGB, and police personnel were stationed near the main gate.
Quota reform activists claimed that the vandals were infiltrating Chhatra League workers, not part of their group. Police and students faced off in the Shahid Minar area since noon. At around 12:30 pm, over 150 policemen entered the JU campus with an APC to rescue the teachers at the Registrar Building.
During this time, the students tried multiple times to meet with the blocked teachers and engaged in several discussions with police and local administration officials, urging them not to attack. The police stated their intent was to secure the release of the Vice-Chancellor and others without conflict. The students assured them that their goal was simply to have the decision to vacate the halls withdrawn.
However, at 5:10 pm., when the protesters refused to disperse, police resorted to force. Hundreds of policemen fired tear gas, rubber bullets, and sound grenades at the students, who retaliated by throwing bricks.
Meanwhile, at 6:45 pm, around fifty policemen intercepted a university microbus and assaulted injured students who were being transported to the university's medical center at Murad Chattar. During this incident, police also attacked Abdullah Al Mamun, the JU correspondent for Prothom Alo, for recording a video, beating him in the process.
After a two-hour police operation, by 7:10 pm, the Vice-Chancellor and other officials were escorted away under police protection, marking the end of the police action at the university.
Dr Rejuanor Rahman, the doctor on duty at JU Medical Center at 8:00 pm, reported that more than 80 students have been injured thus far. Among them, 10 students have been transferred to Savar Enam Medical Center for advanced treatment. He also mentioned that the number of injured students is expected to rise.
Dhaka Zilla Police Super Asaduzzaman briefed the press after the operation, "We arrived at the campus around 12:00 pm and observed students blocking the Vice-Chancellor and other teachers inside the registrar building. Despite our repeated attempts to negotiate, they remained adamant, and more students continued to gather. Eventually, we fired warning shots to secure the release of the Vice-Chancellor."
Arif Sohel, a movement coordinator, stated, "We've joined this movement for our safety and we refuse to vacate the halls. We advocate for peaceful protests."