The unrest began late Saturday night when a Philosophy Department student was allegedly assaulted by a security guard at her rented residence near Gate No. 2. Protests erupted soon after, and they quickly spiraled into fierce confrontations with locals. By Sunday the situation escalated into open battles that left scores injured and the area in chaos.
Chittagong University (CU) and its surrounding areas remain tense after two days of bloody clashes between students and local villagers. The administration, struggling to restore order, has extended Section 144 until midnight Tuesday (September 2).
This order bans gatherings, rallies, and assemblies of more than five people from CU’s Gate No. 2 market to the nearby railway gate.
The order was signed by Hathazari Upazila Nirbahi Officer and Executive Magistrate Muhammad Abdullah Al Mumin. The restricted zone covers the stretch that became the epicenter of violence.
The unrest began late Saturday night when a Philosophy Department student was allegedly assaulted by a security guard at her rented residence near Gate No. 2. Protests erupted soon after, and they quickly spiraled into fierce confrontations with locals. By Sunday the situation escalated into open battles that left scores injured and the area in chaos.
On Monday CU authorities held an emergency meeting and formed a 21-member “Peace and Harmony Committee.” Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Kamal Uddin announced ten immediate steps. These included a pledge that the university would cover all medical expenses for injured students, the creation of a five-member teacher panel to monitor treatment, and a request to the government for the establishment of a model police station near the campus.
“These are urgent measures to bring back stability and protect our students,” he stated, though doubts remain over how effective they will be.
Student Reactions and Escalating Demands
The violence has triggered a storm of accusations. Mohammad Ali, president of Islami Chhatra Shibir’s CU chapter, claimed that local groups armed with sharp weapons carried out brutal attacks on students. He alleged that more than 1,500 were injured during the second day of clashes.
“Our students were hacked, their heads split open and many severely wounded,” he said. He accused Jubo League and Chhatra League leaders of supplying weapons to locals. Shibir demanded advanced medical treatment, arrest of the attackers, permanent security for the campus, and continuation of the curfew.
On Monday night at 10 PM Shibir organized a protest rally demanding justice, accountability of the administration, and a judicial inquiry into the violence.
Non-political students also took to the streets. They staged a hunger strike in front of the Vice-Chancellor’s residence demanding a safe campus. They placed five-point demands and announced that Tuesday morning they would march from Zero Point to the Proctor’s Office followed by a sit-in in front of the administrative building.
Abdullah Al Noman of Chhatra Dal blamed the university, police, and army authorities for what he called an “absolute failure.” He alleged that they were busy taking photos at Zero Point while students were under attack. Chhatra Dal’s CU branch also organized a prayer programme in a mosque for the injured students.
Rizaur Rahman of the Bangladesh Ganatantrik Chhatra Sangsad CU unit said the conflict reflected a long-standing tension between the university and surrounding villages. He questioned whether CU was meant to serve as a center for education and research or as “a grazing ground for vested interests.”
Political Ripples Beyond the Campus
The violence has already shaken national politics. On Sunday the BNP expelled its National Executive Committee member Uday Kusum Barua after he called CU students “terrorists” and was accused of provoking unrest in Zobra village.
At the same time anger is mounting among villagers. On Monday evening several Facebook accounts linked to locals called for fresh protests on Tuesday. They claimed that CU students had attacked them and they demanded accountability and justice.
For now peace survives under the shadow of Section 144. The curfew may control the immediate unrest but it cannot heal the deeper divide between the university and its neighbouring communities. The future of CU depends on whether it can move forward as a sanctuary of learning or sink further into a battleground of interests.
At present peace hangs by a thread.
