Classes, exams suspended at CU: Over 50 injured as locals attack students

At least 50 students were injured as a violent clash erupted at the University of Chittagong (CU) centring an incident of a female student being allegedly harassed by a guard of a building near campus.

Bite-Sized: Why did locals attack CU students?

The incident took place late last night (30 August).

According to eyewitnesses and students, the situation escalated 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's proctor office. In response, locals gathered following loudspeaker announcements and attacked the students with crude weapons.

The violent attack took place near a local shop called Bachamia's Store, where students were reportedly surrounded and assaulted from all sides. The situation quickly spiraled into a full-blown clash between students and locals, involving brick-throwing and physical confrontations.

Over 50 students were injured, with more than 20 seriously wounded and transferred to Chittagong Medical College Hospital for treatment. The area between Gate No. 2 and the Chattogram-Khagrachari highway turned into a battleground, with reports of vandalism targeting vehicles belonging to the university's proctorial body, police, and security forces.

In response to the escalating violence, three platoons of the military were deployed to bring the situation under control.

Al Mashnun, a student who was injured during the attack, said, "Our junior was returning home a bit late when the gate was closed. The guard scolded and physically assaulted her. We went there after hearing what happened, and saw the guard trying to flee. When we caught him and suggested taking him to the proctor's office, a local CNG auto-rickshaw driver said the local ward member would handle the issue but he suddenly attacked one of our friends. I rushed back to the dorm to call more people and tried contacting the proctor, but he didn't answer."

Dr Muhammad Tipu Sultan, the doctor on duty at CU Medical Center, said, "More than 50 students have been injured. We initially sent 12 critically injured students to Chittagong Medical College in three phases. Later, several others were transferred as well. Some have head injuries, some have fractures in their hands or legs, bruises from being beaten with sticks, head trauma from stone-throwing, and visible machete wounds. Many are still under observation at the medical center."

University administration's response

Due to the incident, all academic exams at the university have been postponed. CU's Pro-Vice Chancellor Professor Md Kamal Uddin, stated that the exams were suspended because many of the injured students were scheduled to sit for examination.

CU Proctor Professor Dr Tanvir Mohammad Haider Arif said,
"We deployed multiple security teams at the site by midnight. But since students were scattered across the area, it was difficult to gather them and give proper instructions. Initially, law enforcement presence was limited. We later requested military assistance, and the army helped stabilise the situation."