Years of toxic rivalry that turned the New Market area into a perpetual battleground came to a head on Sunday, as students from Dhaka College, Dhaka City College, and Dhanmondi Ideal College were compelled to sign a rare pledge ending their recurring, often violent, clashes.

The landmark gathering, held at Dhaka College, was the immediate result of relentless intervention by Ramna Division Deputy Police Commissioner Masud Alam and area police leadership.

For months, DC Alam pursued quiet mediation, recognizing that petty disputes over footpaths or queues routinely escalated into public fights, crippling the life and commerce of the capital.

Alam’s involvement is a calculated move, leveraging his unique reputation within the force.

The officer, who earned nationwide praise for personally standing between police and unarmed protesters during the August 4th turmoil, has become a symbol of de-escalation and principled policing.

His insistence on dialogue over heavy-handed force paved the way for this fragile cease-fire.

Addressing the student bodies, DC Alam spoke with unvarnished candor about the chaos they inflicted.

"Among all the challenges I deal with in Ramna, nothing troubles me more than hearing about these three colleges fighting over simple issues," he stressed.

He underscored the fundamental cost, reminding the young men that their violence causes deep suffering for families and jeopardizes their own futures.

The officer pointedly advised the students that education, discipline, and knowledge—not street dominance—are the only foundations for a meaningful life.

The assembly, though a major step, faces scrutiny: the success of the truce now rests on whether the students can abandon their inherited culture of aggression, or if the New Market area will once again be plunged into the anxieties of sudden, trivial-sparked chaos.

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