Dhaka is set to face a blockade on Monday (27 January) from 9am as students of the affiliated 7 colleges escalate their protest, demanding the trial of the pro-vice chancellor of Dhaka University (DU).
The announcement came during a press conference held at 3:00am on Monday (27 January).
Earlier, tensions flared between DU and 7 college students, culminating in violent clashes that lasted until 2:30am.
The confrontation, marked by stone pelting, left at least 20 students injured on both sides.
The unrest saw DU students taking position on the road in front of Nilkhet book market, while 7 college students gathered in the New Market area, leading to an exchange of projectiles.
In response, police deployed sound grenades and tear gas to disperse the crowds and restore order.
Amidst the turmoil, Hasnat Abdullah, the convener of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, arrived at the scene in an attempt to mediate.
However, he was met with resistance from both factions.
Arriving at Nilkhet at around 12:30am, he attempted to initiate dialogue with the 7 college students, but they refused to engage.
When he sought to pacify both groups, he found himself caught in the crossfire of their hostility.
The tensions had been mounting since 11pm on Sunday (26 January) when 7 college students moved from in front of Dhaka College towards the Mukti o Ganatantra Toran, while students from Sir AF Rahman Hall took position at their dormitory entrance.
By 11:30pm, skirmishes intensified as DU students chased the Seven College protesters from the campus area towards Nilkhet, prompting the police to intervene by firing two rounds of sound grenades.
With Monday's citywide blockade looming, Dhaka braces for further disruptions as student protests continue to escalate.
