CU to request judicial probe into clashes between students, locals
A separate university committee was also constituted for initial fact-finding.
The Chittagong University (CU) authorities have decided to request a judicial inquiry into the recent clashes between students and local residents.
The decision came at the 560th emergency syndicate meeting held this afternoon (2 September) to address the situation that unfolded following the clashes on 30 and 31 August. CU acting registrar Md Saiful Islam briefed journalists on the syndicate's decisions.
The university will request the government to form a judicial probe committee to investigate the causes of the clashes, assess damages, and identify those responsible.
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A separate university committee was also constituted for initial fact-finding. It will be headed by Professor Muhammad Taiyub Chowdhury, dean of the Faculty of Business Administration.
Other syndicate decisions include ensuring advanced medical treatment for injured students at the university's expense.
The university also decided to request the authorities to keep striking forces deployed and continue patrols on campus until the situation returns to normal.
The unrest at CU 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.
