Dhaka,  Thursday
5 December 2024 , 08:13

Donik Barta

Student Protesters Rampage at Mahbubur Rahman Mollah College in Response to Alleged Medical Negligence

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Published At: 01:30:16pm, 25 November 2024

Updated At : 01:30:16pm, 25 November 2024

Students Launch Attack on Mahbubur Rahman Mollah College - Image - Internet

ছবি: Students Launch Attack on Mahbubur Rahman Mollah College - Image - Internet

On Monday morning, students from Kobi Nazrul Government College and Sohrawardy College launched a violent protest at Mahbubur Rahman Mollah College (DMRC) in Dhaka, causing widespread damage and looting of college property. This rampage was in retaliation to an earlier clash on Sunday, which began after allegations of medical negligence led to the death of a student.

The unrest originated from an incident at the National Medical Institute Hospital, where a student from DMRC reportedly died due to alleged negligence by medical staff. This triggered a fierce protest by students from various colleges, demanding accountability. They first surrounded the hospital, but the protest soon escalated into violent clashes with the hospital authorities and extended to vandalism at several colleges, including Sohrawardy and Kobi Nazrul Colleges.

In response to the violence, students from Kobi Nazrul and Sohrawardy Colleges organized a retaliatory protest on Monday, heading toward the DMRC campus with weapons, including sticks, to express their anger. At around 10 AM, the protesters gathered at Bahadur Shah Park, where they became increasingly agitated. By 11:30 AM, they moved toward Raishahib Bazaar, continuing their protest, which turned into an all-out attack on the DMRC college building.

Earlier, these students had issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the college administration to identify and arrest the individuals responsible for the initial attack and vandalism. However, when their demands went unanswered, they decided to intensify their protests with what they called "Mega Monday." This demonstration included members from multiple colleges in Dhaka, including those from Kobi Nazrul and Sohrawardy.

The core of the students' outrage stemmed from an incident at the National Medical Institute, where a student from Mahbubur Rahman Mollah College allegedly died due to medical malpractice. Following this, students from various colleges gathered to voice their demands for justice. Their initial protests targeted the medical institution, but when authorities failed to act in time, tensions erupted. What started as a peaceful protest against medical negligence spiraled into violent confrontations between the students and authorities.

Protesters first surrounded the National Medical Institute Hospital, accusing the medical staff of negligence, but their anger grew when it led to the unfortunate student’s death. Subsequently, clashes broke out, and as the situation worsened, students attacked Sohrawardy and Kobi Nazrul Colleges, destroying property and causing significant disruption.

One of the most alarming aspects of the situation was the alleged inactivity of the police during the protests. Despite being present at the scene, the police were accused of not taking action to prevent the violence from escalating. This allowed the students to wreak havoc on the campuses of both Kobi Nazrul and Sohrawardy Colleges, where exams were ongoing at the time. The property damage included broken windows, ransacked offices, and destroyed furniture.

Following the attack, students from both colleges expressed their fury at the police's inability to control the situation. They voiced concerns that the police had failed to protect the institutions, leaving them vulnerable to the protesters' aggression.

In response to these violent protests, the administration of both Kobi Nazrul and Sohrawardy Colleges condemned the attacks on their campuses and demanded swift action from the authorities to arrest those responsible for the violence. College officials also called for a thorough investigation into the medical negligence that led to the student's death.

As the situation unfolds, local authorities are under increasing pressure to take stronger action against the protesters and prevent further damage. Meanwhile, students from various educational institutions are continuing to rally for justice and demanding better protection from law enforcement.

This tragic incident has exposed deeper frustrations among students about medical standards and institutional accountability. It has sparked larger conversations regarding the treatment of students, healthcare practices, and the role of police in managing student protests.

The unrest at Mahbubur Rahman Mollah College serves as a stark reminder of the growing discontent among students in Dhaka. With demands for justice for the deceased student and a call for accountability from medical institutions, the protests show no signs of easing. The authorities now face the challenge of addressing both the immediate damage caused by the violence and the broader concerns about student welfare and healthcare practices.

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