At Least 15 Injured as 'Rival Groups' Clash on Campus
Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Clashes erupted on the Dhaka University of Engineering and Technology (DUET) campus, injuring at least 15 people.
- The violence stemmed from student protests against the appointment of a new vice chancellor, with tensions escalating into physical confrontations.
- Police have deployed additional forces to control the situation, which remains tense.
Dhaka University of Engineering and Technology (DUET) became the scene of significant unrest today as student protests over the appointment of a new vice chancellor devolved into violent clashes, leaving at least 15 injured. The situation, which had been simmering for days, erupted into chaos on campus, highlighting deep divisions among the student body and faculty regarding the university's leadership.
Tensions had been building among students over the VC appointment for the past few days. Today, the situation escalated into clashes. Police are working to bring the situation under control.
Protests began following the government's appointment of Professor Dr Mohammad Iqbal as the new VC. A faction of students and some teacher leaders vocally opposed the decision, arguing that the position should be filled by a senior faculty member from within DUET's own ranks. Their demands centered on the principle that internal expertise should be prioritized for the university's specialized academic and administrative needs.
There have been no reports of serious injuries so far.
The campus atmosphere remains tense, with a heavy police presence now in place to restore order. The clashes, reportedly involving the hurling of bricks between opposing groups, underscore the severity of the dispute. This incident raises critical questions about governance and decision-making processes within Bangladesh's higher education institutions, particularly for specialized universities like DUET, where internal academic understanding is paramount.
15 injured people had been brought from the Duet campus as of 12:00pm today.
Originally published by Daily Star in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.