Joint forces have been deployed in and around Chittagong University (CU) following violent clashes between students and local residents on Sunday.
Members of the joint forces entered the campus through Gate No 1 around 4pm and were later stationed at various key points in the area, according to university sources.
The unrest erupted shortly after noon when a confrontation broke out between students and residents of the surrounding area.
At least 150 people, including CU’s Pro-Vice Chancellor (Administration) Professor Md Kamal Uddin, and Proctor Tanvir Mohammad Hayder Arif, were injured in the violence.
In response to the escalating tension, the local administration imposed Section 144 around 3pm, banning public gatherings on both sides of the road stretching from Gate No. 2 of CU to the eastern rail gate in the Fatehpur Union area, according to Hathazari Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Muhammad Abdullah Al Mumin. This measure was taken to restore order and protect public life and property, the notice added.
However, law enforcement personnel reportedly arrived at the scene nearly four hours after the clash began. Their delayed arrival drew strong criticism from students, who chanted slogans calling them “fake” and questioning their effectiveness.
“The attack started in the morning. Locals targeted students and stormed our homes,” said Milon Hossain Sarkar, a student of Persian Language and Literature. “The joint forces didn’t arrive until 4pm. If they had come earlier, many students could have been spared from injuries. The government must take responsibility for this,” he told media.
Earlier in the day, around 12:30pm, CU Pro-Vice Chancellors Professor Dr Mohammad Shamim Uddin (Academic), Professor Dr Md Kamal Uddin (Administration), and Proctor Professor Dr. Tanvir Mohammad Haider Arif attempted to negotiate with the local residents. However, no law enforcement personnel were present at the time to provide protection.
Shortly after, locals began throwing stones at the students, sparking a large-scale clash between the two sides. University officials reported that over 150 students were injured in the incident, with at least 30 sustaining serious injuries.
The conflict began from an altercation on Saturday night when a CU student had a dispute with a security guard over entering her rented house. The guard allegedly assaulted her, sparking a protest from students who tried to detain him.
This protest led to a scuffle between students and locals. The situation escalated when announcements were made from local mosques calling for residents to join the attack, while CU students mobilized through announcements from the Suhrawardy Hall mosque, resulting in a fierce clash.
