CU clashes: Sayem shows signs of recovery, Mamun able to walk
“Sayem’s latest CT scan shows improvement, and his life support has been removed. Mamun may be discharged within the next two to three days,” Parkview Hospital General Manager Talukder Ziauddin says
Imtiaz Ahmed Sayem, a master's student in the Department of International Relations at Chittagong University (CU) who was critically injured in recent clashes between students and locals, has shown improvement.
Doctors removed his life support, and he is now regaining consciousness and able to move his limbs, according to hospital sources and his family.
Sayem is undergoing treatment at the intensive care unit (ICU) of Parkview Hospital in Chattogram city.
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He suffered severe head injuries from sharp weapons during the 31 August clashes on campus, requiring emergency surgery. His condition deteriorated afterwards, forcing doctors to place him on life support.
A medical board reviewed his case on 3 September and again yesterday.
Speaking to The Business Standard from the hospital today (6 September), Sayem's brother Asaduzzaman Sajib said, "His sense level is now 11, compared to 3 during surgery. A normal person has 15.
"Today, the doctors asked him to move his hands and legs, and he responded. Ventilation support has been removed, and he will remain under observation until tomorrow. He has a fever, which could be due to infection or trauma. Some tests are ongoing. We request everyone's prayers."
Meanwhile, at the same hospital, Mamun Mia, a final-year sociology student who was also injured in the clashes, is recovering and has begun walking on the doctors' advice.
Mamun sustained major head injuries and was kept in the ICU before being moved to a cabin three days ago. However, his skull bone has been removed and preserved in a freezer, with doctors planning to reattach it in about two months once his condition stabilises.
"Mamun's condition is improving. He is talking, and today doctors let him walk for a while," his elder brother Masud Rana told TBS.
Parkview Hospital General Manager Talukder Ziauddin said, "Sayem's latest CT scan shows improvement, and his life support has been removed. Mamun may be discharged within the next two to three days."
According to the district civil surgeon's office, so far over 300 students have received treatment at the CU medical centre, 114 at Chattogram Medical College Hospital, and 30 at private hospitals.
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 on the east side following the repeated clashes.
On 2 September, the CU administration filed a case with Hathazari Model Police Station, naming 95 individuals and accusing around 1,000 unidentified people. So far, nine people have been arrested.
