Section 144 has been imposed on Chittagong University (CU) campus and its surrounding areas, and will remain in effect until midnight Monday, following violent clashes between students and local residents.
In response to the escalating situation, the army has been deployed alongside additional law enforcement personnel to restore order. The CU administration had earlier suspended all academic classes and examinations from Sunday as tensions on campus spiralled out of control.
In the wake of the violence, a probe committee has been formed to investigate the incident. The committee will be headed by Professor Dr Kamal Uddin, CU’s Pro-Vice Chancellor (Administration), who was himself injured during the clashes. The committee also includes CU Syndicate member and former VP SM Fazlul Haque, a local BNP leader, along with representatives from various student bodies.
The announcement came late Sunday night following a nearly four-hour emergency meeting held at the administrative building’s conference room. CU Pro-Vice Chancellor (Education) Professor Shamim Uddin Khan briefed journalists after the meeting.
“Tensions between students and locals escalated rapidly. However, with the support of the army, RAB, police, and the district administration, the situation was brought under control by Sunday evening,” Prof Shamim said.
Following the clashes, many students evacuated their off-campus lodgings including messes and private cottages and took refuge on university grounds. Regarding the safe return of students from the violence-hit Jobra village, Prof Shamim said discussions had taken place with SM Fazlul Haque to facilitate their relocation. He also confirmed that university dormitories will remain open to accommodate students.
According to Dr Farhana Yasmin, Senior Medical Officer at Chattogram Medical Centre, approximately 1,500 students received treatment following the unrest.
“Of them, around 500 were referred to Chattogram Medical College Hospital (CMCH). Ten students sustained serious injuries, with two currently in the ICU,” she said.
The university administration will bear all medical expenses, she added.
The emergency meeting was attended by CU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Muhammad Yahya Akhtar, Chattogram Deputy Commissioner Farida Khanam, senior law enforcement officials, and local public representatives.
The unrest began Saturday evening near Gate No. 2, after a female CU student was allegedly assaulted by a building caretaker. The incident quickly escalated, resulting in over 40 injuries on the first night. Violence reignited on Sunday, with an estimated 1,500 students injured in renewed clashes.
In a bid to prevent further escalation, the CU administration has extended Section 144 across the campus and indefinitely suspended all examinations scheduled for this week.
