Section 144 imposed at CU, nearby areas after fresh clashes leave at least 400 including pro-VC, proctor injured
The restriction, which prohibits assembly of five or more people or holding of public meetings, will continue from 2pm today (31 August) to midnight tomorrow (1 September). UPDATES
Highlights:
- The restriction will be effective until midnight, 1 September
- At least 400 students along with teachers, CU Pro-VC, and proctor injured in fresh violence
- University medical college overwhelmed as injured students and teachers flood the facility
- Administration claims police failed to arrive even three hours after violence erupted
- Police later said they had reached the spot around 3:30pm and were trying to control the situation
Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) has been imposed in the area from the Gate No 2 of Chittagong University to the railgate area on the East side of that gate following repeated clashes between students and locals.
The restriction, which prohibits assembly of five or more people, holding of public meetings, and carrying of firearms, will continue from 2pm today (31 August) to midnight tomorrow (1 September), according to an order issued by Hathazari Upazila Nirbahi Officer and Executive Magistrate Md Abdullah Al Mumin this afternoon following the violent clashes.
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Army personnel were deployed in the area.
Unrest escalated in Chattogram University (CU) for the second day, as clashes erupted again between students and locals near the university's Gate 2 earlier today, leaving at least 400 students along with Pro-Vice-Chancellor (administration) Md Kamal Uddin and Proctor Prof Tanvir Mohammad Haydar injured.
Pro Vice Chancellor (administration) Professor Dr Md Kamal Uddin said, "Around 300 to 400 students, along with several teachers, have been injured in the attacks. The university medical college has run out of space to accommodate the injured individuals."
He alleged, "All the top cadres of the Chhatra League carried out the assault."
'No police presence even three hours after violent clashes'
"We contacted the CMP, the home affairs adviser and the Chief Adviser's Office for two hours, but no one has come to our aid yet," Pro-Vice-Chancellor Kamal Uddin told TBS around 3pm.
He said, "We can no longer control our students."
Meanwhile, when asked about the delay in reaching the scene, Chittagong district police spokesperson, Additional Police Superintendent Mohammad Russel, told TBS at about 3:30pm, "We are at the scene and trying to bring the situation under control."
There is nothing more to say at this moment, he added.
Dr Taposh Kanti Mozumdar, upazila health officer of Hathazari, told TBS that seven members of police admitted at Hathazari Upazila Health Complex as of 4pm following today's clash.
As senior university officials attempted to mediate between locals and students in the morning, locals surrounded them from both sides and hurled brickbats, injuring the officials along with several students.
To bring the situation under control, university security forces fired several blank shots.
Chittagong Medical College Hospital police outpost Assistant Sub-Inspector Alauddin Talukder told TBS that 51 people have been admitted at the hospital till 3pm.
The unrest stems from an incident late last night (30 August), when a female student, returning to her rented house near CU's Gate No. 2 around 11:30pm after the main gate closed, was harassed by the building's security guard.
When the student called her friends for help, they tried to escort the guard to the university proctor's office. In response, locals gathered following loudspeaker announcements and attacked the students with crude weapons.
At least 50 students were injured, with more than 20 seriously wounded and sent to Chattogram Medical College for treatment.
In response, three platoons of the army were deployed on campus. During the attacks, vehicles of the proctorial body and law enforcement agencies were also vandalised.
Following Saturday night's violence, the university administration suspended examinations and classes until further notice.
What is Section 144?
Section 144 refers to a legal provision under the CrPC, 1898, which empowers executive magistrates to take immediate preventive action in situations where there is a likelihood of public disorder, unrest or threats to public safety.
Violation of Section 144 is a criminal offence, punishable under the CrPC.
It is imposed to prevent large gatherings in volatile situations.
