Chittagong University issues 48-hour ultimatum for students to return looted weapons
The weapons include rods, machetes, cleavers, and knives.
The Chittagong University (CU) authorities have issued a 48-hour ultimatum for students to return local weapons looted from the university's security office during the violent clashes earlier this week between students and locals on campus, which left at least 400 students, the pro-vice-chancellor and the proctor injured.
The weapons include rods, machetes, cleavers, and knives.
In a notice signed by Proctor Professor Dr Tanvir Mohammad Haidar Arif today (2 September), the administration warned of strict action if the weapons were not returned within the deadline.
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The notice stated, "The weapons were looted during clashes between students and locals of Jobra village. Anyone in possession of these weapons is instructed to return them to the security office within 48 hours. Otherwise, the university authorities will take legal action."
Acting CU Registrar Md Saiful Islam told The Business Standard that a general diary (GD) had been filed with Hathazari Model Police Station regarding the incident.
According to the CU administration, following the fall of the government on 5 August, the proctorial body had conducted raids in several residential halls and recovered around 130 locally made weapons.
However, during Sunday's series of clashes with locals, students looted weapons from the university's security office.
The unrest stemmed from an incident where a female student had been allegedly slapped by a security guard for returning late to her rented accommodation near Gate No 2 of CU on the night of 30 August.
The incident sparked clashes that night between students and local villagers, leaving more than 50 injured.
Fresh violence broke out again the next day, during which at least 400 and 500 people, including the CU pro-vice chancellor, proctor, teachers and students, were injured.
Later in the day, Section 144 was imposed in the area from Gate No 2 to the railgate area on the east side of that gate following the repeated clashes.
To bring the situation under control, authorities imposed Section 144 from Sunday noon until midnight Monday, later extending it for another day.
A case has been filed over the incident today.
