At least 200 students were injured and three buses set on fire during violent clashes overnight between students of Daffodil International University and City University in Savar, on the outskirts of Dhaka, authorities said Monday.
Police said the violence began after a City University student accidentally spat on a Daffodil student near a local hostel, sparking an argument that escalated into a series of attacks, chases, and counter-chases. Around 50 City University students allegedly vandalized a residence for Daffodil students, prompting retaliation and arson on the City University campus.
Several vehicles, including three university buses and private cars, were torched or damaged. Twelve injured students were hospitalized at Enam Medical College Hospital.
“We are still not sure how the incident started. It can’t be that the campus was set on fire over a simple fight between students. It was planned. The number of our injured students may exceed fifty,” City University Proctor Professor Abu Zayed said to The Daily Star.
Police, army, and Rapid Action Battalion units later brought the situation under control.