Case filed over CU clashes; Classes, exams suspended till Thursday
Nearly 1,000 were accused in the case filed over clashes between students and villagers
Chittagong University (CU) authorities have filed a case against nearly 1,000 people following violent clashes between students and locals on campus earlier this week, which left at least 400 students, the pro-vice-chancellor, and the proctor injured.
CU Chief Security Officer Abdur Rahim lodged the case at Hathazari Model Police Station today (2 September).
According to the case statement, 95 individuals were named, while 800–1,000 others remain unidentified.
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CU acting registrar Prof Mohammad Saiful Islam told TBS, "The suffering of our students has deeply saddened us. We have filed the case to ensure legal action against those responsible."
Authorities also filed a general diary (GD) over the looting of weapons from the university's security office. Prof Saiful urged students to return to classes and exams promptly to help restore order.
In response to the unrest, all classes and examinations have been suspended until Thursday. The suspension was announced in a notice issued on 1 September. Fresh dates for the postponed exams will be announced later.
Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, imposed on the campus and nearby areas after the clashes, remained in effect until late last night.
48-hour ultimatum to return looted weapons
CU authorities have ordered students to return weapons —rods, machetes, sickles, and knives—looted from the security office during clashes with locals.
The notice, signed by Proctor Professor Tanvir Mohammad Haider Arif, warned that strict action will be taken against those who fail to comply.
Sources said that during earlier raids on CU halls on 5 August, the Proctorial Body had recovered nearly 130 locally made weapons. However, looting recurred amid clashes last Sunday.
Investigation and safety measures
In a syndicate meeting today, university authorities decided to request the relevant government authorities to form a judicial inquiry committee to investigate into the clash between students and local residents.
To ensure student safety, the university decided to take measures to establish a model police station, a security outpost at the railway gate, and enhance security on the shuttle train.
Plans to modernise the University Medical Center include purchasing two ambulances and preparing a Development Project Proposal (DPP) to convert it into a 50-bed modern hospital. To make CU fully residential, a DPP will be prepared for constructing five 10-story male halls and five female halls, alongside renovations of existing halls.
A seven-member committee has been formed to investigate the 30–31 August clashes, identify causes and culprits, and assess damages.
Student organisations launched demonstrations Monday night demanding the resignation of the university administration, accusing it of failing to ensure security.
What happened
The clashes were reportedly sparked by an incident on Saturday night in which a female student was allegedly slapped by a security guard for returning late to her rented accommodation near Gate No. 2. The altercation led to confrontations between students and villagers, leaving over 50 injured.
Fresh violence broke out again the next morning, during which the CU pro-vice chancellor, proctor, teachers and students were among those injured.
