Uneasy calm at CU after violent clashes with Section 144 in effect, classes and exams suspended
The university authorities suspended all classes and examinations, but recruitment tests and other activities at the Administration Building continued as usual
A tense atmosphere prevailed at Chittagong University (CU) for the second consecutive day today (1 September) after violent clashes between students and locals left hundreds injured.
Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, imposed by the Hathazari upazila administration yesterday, remained in effect, which bans public gatherings in parts of the area where the clashes took place.
The university authorities suspended all classes and examinations, but recruitment tests and other activities at the Administration Building continued as usual.
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This morning, visits to the Faculty of Social Sciences, Shaheed Minar, Gol Chattar and Gate No 2 areas showed a largely deserted campus. While these areas are usually crowded with students throughout the day, there were only a handful of students today.
Meanwhile, shuttle trains and staff buses continued to operate as usual.
Prof Momtaz Uddin Ahmed, acting controller of examinations, said, "Considering the situation, academic activities have been suspended for today as well. A decision on whether classes and exams will resume tomorrow will be taken later."
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 on Saturday night.
The incident sparked clashes that night between students and local villagers, leaving more than 50 injured.
Fresh violence broke out again yesterday morning, during which the CU pro-vice chancellor, proctor, teachers and students were among those injured.
Local weapons were used in the attacks.
According to the university administration, between 400 and 500 people were injured in the clashes.
Later in the day, Section 144 was imposed in the area from the Gate No 2 of CU to the railgate area on the east side of that gate following the repeated clashes.
Ten platoons of the army were deployed on the CU campus yesterday to bring the situation under control, Lieutenant Colonel Abid told the media at around 8pm yesterday. "The surrounding villages are calm. Efforts are being made to control the situation with the students."
