In response to escalating violence, six platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) were deployed on Monday in the Jatrabari-Demra area following the vandalism at Dr. Mahbubur Rahman Molla College in Demra. The unrest stems from a student protest linked to allegations of medical negligence leading to a death.
A press release from Md. Shariful Islam, Public Relations Officer at BGB headquarters, confirmed the deployment, citing concerns over law and order in the wake of the incidents.
Tensions began after the death of Abhijit Halder, a student of Dr. Mahbubur Rahman Molla College, who was admitted to the medicine department of the National Medical College Hospital with dengue on November 16. He passed away on November 18, sparking outrage among his peers, who accused the hospital of negligence in his treatment.
On Sunday, enraged students vandalized the hospital in protest. The situation further escalated when students from Kabi Nazrul College and Suhrawardy College, allegedly supported by National Medical College, attacked students from Dr. Mahbubur Rahman Molla College, triggering wider clashes.
The violence intensified on Monday as students from 35 colleges gathered near Dr. Mahbubur Rahman Molla College, reportedly in retaliation for Sunday’s attacks. By midday, the group had begun vandalizing college property, escalating the already tense situation in the area.
The clashes on Sunday had already left at least 20 people injured.