The Science Lab area in the capital became a battleground on Wednesday as students of Dhaka College and Dhaka City College clashed for nearly three hours, leaving at least 32 students from both institutions injured.

The violence disrupted vehicular movement on Mirpur Road and its adjacent areas, while several police officers, army personnel, journalists, guardians, and bystanders also sustained injuries.

The altercation began around 3pm and continued until 6pm, when law enforcement, aided by army personnel, restored order and resumed traffic flow, according to Deputy Commissioner (Ramna Crime Division) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, Mohammad Masud Alam.

The officer confirmed that no arrests were made in connection with the clash.

Eyewitnesses reported that both groups of students armed themselves with sticks and rods, attacking one another while hurling bricks and stones.

Sources said Dhaka College students were celebrating the institution’s 184th founding anniversary. After the event, around 2:30pm, students began leaving the campus in buses.

When three of these buses reached the Science Lab intersection, a group of City College students allegedly intercepted and attacked the Dhaka College students. The confrontation quickly escalated as more students from Dhaka College joined the scene.

According to sources, the clash was rooted in a heated argument between students of both colleges over boarding a bus the previous day, which culminated in Wednesday’s violence.

Police and army personnel arrived at the scene to intervene but faced resistance from both sides. Tear gas was used around 4:45 pm to disperse the crowd.

Eyewitnesses stated that after being chased by authorities, City College students retreated to their campus, but Dhaka College students gathered outside the main gate, vandalising the property. In retaliation, City College students reportedly hurled bricks and stones from within their campus, injuring several individuals.

Efforts by police and army personnel to enter City College were unsuccessful. The guardians of City College students, unable to contact their children, expressed deep concern for their safety.

Mohammed Faruk, in charge of the Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) Police Outpost, reported that approximately 32 injured students were taken to the hospital. Most received first aid treatment, he added.