One arrested after CU students injured in clash with locals

Police have arrested one person in connection with an attack on Chittagong University (CU) students that left four injured during an altercation with locals near the campus rail crossing area late last night (17 April).

The incident occurred around 10pm, when a group of students from the Communication and Journalism Department were attempting to board a bus.

One of the injured, third-year student Jahin Sarkar Abir, is a campus correspondent for Somoy TV. He filed a case with Hathazari Model Police Station at around 3:30am today (18 April) as the plaintiff.

Following that, police conducted a raid around 4:30am and arrested the main accused, Md Emon, 25, Sub-Inspector Mobarak confirmed. Police said efforts are ongoing to arrest another accused, Md Shafiq.

The other injured students are Alimul Shamim, a master's student of the same department; Mahbub Hossain Farhad, a fourth-year student; and Ashikur Islam. Abir sustained serious injuries to his hand and is undergoing treatment at Chittagong Medical College Hospital.

According to the case statement and accounts from the victims, around six to seven students were waiting for transport at the rail crossing area around 9:30pm after having dinner outside campus.

When they attempted to board a bus, several locals verbally abused them and asked them to get off.

An altercation followed, during which Abir began recording the incident on his mobile phone. The attackers allegedly snatched the phone and assaulted him with sticks.

Despite identifying himself as a journalist, he was beaten, suffering serious injuries to his left hand. Other students were also assaulted during the incident.

One of the injured students, Shamim, said the group was targeted while trying to board the bus.

"Some locals started verbally abusing us. When one of our juniors protested, they attacked him. When Abir started recording, they took his phone and began beating him," he said.

Dr Mohammad Abul Kashem, duty doctor at the CU Medical Centre, said two injured students were initially brought in.

"Abir had serious injuries to the upper part of his left hand and was referred to Chittagong Medical College for further treatment. Another student had injuries to the neck and hand and was kept under observation," he said.

In protest, leaders and activists of the Chittagong University Central Students' Union held a demonstration at Sharan Chattar around 12:30am, demanding the arrest of all those involved and improved campus security.

Vice President Ibrahim Hossain Roni said, "We demand the immediate arrest of the attackers. Such incidents are becoming frequent and unacceptable. The administration must ensure the safety of students."

University Proctor Professor Dr Hossain Shahid Sarwardi said authorities responded quickly after learning of the incident.

"Police are present at the scene, and steps are being taken to arrest those involved," he said.