At least 30 people were injured in a clash between Chittagong University students and local residents near the university’s Gate No 2 on Saturday night, following an alleged assault on a female student by a building caretaker.
Most of the injured were hit by bricks, while some sustained cut wounds from sharp weapons. They were admitted to the university medical centre.
According to eyewitnesses, the incident began when a student of the university’s philosophy department from the 2024–25 session returned to her rented accommodation
near the gate. She said the caretaker refused to let her in, verbally abused her, and slapped her when she protested.
“When I tried to defend myself, he pushed me to the ground and kicked me. My roommate and some locals came forward, but instead of stopping, he continued to assault me,” she told reporters.
News of the incident spread quickly across the campus. Groups of students gathered at the spot to catch the caretaker, sparking tension with local residents. Witnesses said brick-throwing broke out during the confrontation, injuring at least 10 students initially. Later, as more students arrived, the clash escalated and spread across the area.
Mansur Aziz, a student of the university, said: “I was informed by juniors that a female student had been attacked. We tried to catch the caretaker, but he fled. When we finally caught him some distance away, locals attacked us and took him back by force. During the attack, a student from the law department was severely injured and left bleeding.”
The university’s proctor Tanvir Mohammad Haider confirmed the incident. “We have received reports of clashes and injuries. Security personnel and police have been dispatched.
The police and other law enforcers tried to restore order following request from university authorities.
