The local administration on Sunday imposed Section 144 in the Chittagong University (CU) area following renewed clashes between CU students and local residents over the alleged assault of a female student.
Hathazari Upazila Executive Officer Abdullah Al Mumin enforced the restriction on Sunday afternoon.
The curfew will be in place from 2pm on Sunday until midnight on Monday, covering the area from Gate No 2 of CU to the eastern rail gate in the Fatehpur Union area. This measure was taken to restore order and protect public life and property.
The order prohibits all forms of movement, gatherings, rallies, protests, and the carrying of weapons or sharp objects during the restriction period.
Earlier on Sunday, at least 50 people, including CU’s vice-chancellor, were injured in the clashes between university students and local residents.
Among the injured were Professor Kamal Uddin, the pro-vice chancellor, and Tanvir Mohammad Hayder Arif, the proctor of the university.
Students reported that the violence erupted around 12:45pm near Gate No 2 in the north residential area of CU when a group of locals began throwing bricks at students without provocation.
The situation quickly escalated into a chase, leaving dozens injured and turning the area into a battlefield.
There were also reports of army personnel being present on campus earlier that morning. However, they left after conducting a brief operation, and the clashes began shortly after their departure.
In response to the unrest, university authorities have suspended all ongoing examinations across departments.
CU Pro-Vice Chancellor Kamal Uddin stated, “Many students injured in the local attack had exams scheduled for today. Given the current situation, all exams have been postponed.”
The conflict stemmed from an altercation on Saturday night when a Philosophy Department 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.
The violent confrontation left around 50 people injured, and at least 20 of them have been admitted to Chittagong Medical College Hospital (CMCH).
