Traders of New Market in the capital reopened their shops on Thursday morning after those were shut for the last two days following a series of clashes between Dhaka College students and traders.
Earlier, the decision of reopening the market was taken after hours-long meeting from Wednesday midnight till early Thursday.
The clash between Dhaka College students and New Market traders – which began on Monday night and continued sporadically throughout Tuesday –left two people dead and at least more than 50 other people injured.
The New Market traders and Dhaka College students have been blaming each other for the violent clash.
Students alleged that a few shopkeepers attacked and stabbed a few of their peers when they visited the New Market area on Monday midnight for shopping.
However, a trader in the area Elias Hossain said, “That night, the shop staff of Capital Fast Food and Welcome Fast Food had engaged in scuffle. Both shops are located inside gate number four.
“Later, the owner of Welcome Fast Food called in some Dhaka College students. A few minutes later, a group of students came to the spot and began beating the Capital Fast Food staff. The fighting quickly spread like wildfire, and soon the whole market became involved.”
New Market Business Owners’ Association President Dewan Aminul Islam Shaheen said, “We have enough footage of the clash captured on CCTV systems. The footage shows several young men coming into the market wearing motorbike helmets and attacking shop staff.
“We will support law enforcing agencies in their investigation into the incident, and help them unearth the reason behind the clash.”
