Tension remains high among Chittagong University (CU) students living in Jobra village, following violent clashes that erupted over the weekend. Many students, fearing for their safety, have sought temporary shelter in CU dormitories and at the homes of classmates.
The unrest began at midnight on Saturday, when an altercation between a female student and a security guard at a building near the university’s Gate No. 2 quickly escalated. The dispute sparked confrontations between students and locals, which continued throughout Sunday.
Around 2,000 CU students reside in rented cottages in the area surrounding Gate No 2. Due to the ongoing unrest, many students have been unable to return home. On Wednesday, shops in the area remained closed, and the once-bustling streets were nearly deserted. While shuttle train services and exams are proceeding as scheduled, regular classes have yet to resume.
Fuad Hossain, a student from the Department of Arabic, expressed concern about the situation. “I have been staying at my friends’ places for the past three nights. Local boys frequently pass by my home, which I see as a security threat,” he told TIMES of Bangladesh.
Similarly, Tanzin Ahmed Ashika, a third-year student of Communication and Journalism, is also sheltering in the dormitory. “I had no choice but to stay at the dorm. Many other students are still without homes, and some landlords are forcing them to leave immediately,” she said.
University authorities filed a case at Hathazari Model Police Station on Tuesday, naming 98 individuals as accused, with an additional 1,000 unnamed suspects. Police operations have led to the arrest of eight individuals, though fear remains among both students and villagers.
Despite the tensions, some residents of Jobra are hopeful that the situation will be resolved. Local villager Jebel Hossain expressed his concern, saying, “Although things seem to be returning to normal, fear remains. The university students are like children to us. We are proud to have a university in this area, and we hope the situation will be resolved through dialogue.”
Another villager, Tanvir Ahmed Tuhin, shared his disbelief, saying, “We were asleep when the incident took place. At first, we thought it might have been an attack by robbers. It is so unacceptable that such a small issue escalated unnecessarily.”
In an effort to address the tensions, a liaison committee has been formed to foster better relations between the students and landlords of the cottages. The committee will address rent disputes and assist students in returning to their homes. In case any student feels unsafe, they can contact the administration, which will make alternative arrangements.
While the tension lingers, CU authorities have confirmed that exams are continuing, with several departments conducting tests with full attendance. Professor Mohammad Saiful Islam, the acting registrar of CU, announced that from Sunday, regular classes and exams will fully resume.
Chattogram Additional Superintendent of Police (DB), Mohammad Russel, assured the public that police forces have been deployed around the university area. “We are taking steps to maintain law and order, and if any student faces difficulty, they can contact us for appropriate action,” he said.
Meanwhile, an investigation committee, formed by the CU syndicate, has started looking into the events of Saturday night and Sunday afternoon. The committee, headed by Mohammad Tayub Chowdhury, director of the Chittagong University Centre for Business Administration, is tasked with investigating the causes of the violence and helping to restore calm.
As the investigation continues and the community works to heal, students and residents alike hope that dialogue will ultimately bring an end to the conflict.
