Tension gripped the capital’s Nilkhet and New Market areas as students of Dhaka University and Dhaka College engaged in fierce clashes around midnight, leaving several people, including a journalist, injured.

Witnesses said the area turned into a battlefield around 1:00am as both sides hurled bricks and chased each other. Leaders of the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU), including Vice-President Shadiq Kayem, were seen trying to calm the situation.

A large number of police personnel were deployed in the areas to restore order.

Assistant Commissioner (AC) Mohammad Jahangir of the DMP’s New Market Zone said the violence erupted over setting up a makeshift shop in front of DU’s Shahnewaz Hall.

“Both sides have been dispersed, and adequate police have been deployed to maintain law and order,” he said, adding that the situation is now under control.

He also said the incident is being investigated, and legal action will be taken if necessary.