United News of Bangladesh

The local administration imposed section 144 in and around Chittagong University (CU) area following the fresh clash between the CU students and local people over the manhandling of a female student on Sunday. Hathazari Upazila Nirbahi Officer Abdullah AL Mumin slapped the ban on Sunday afternoon. The restriction was imposed on the east side of No 2 gate of Chittagong University to rail gate on the eastern side of the university area under Fatehpur union of the upazila from 2 pm to 12 am on Monday. The local administration imposed the emergency section to maintain the law-and-order situation and protect the public life and property. All kinds of movement, gatherings, rallies, demonstrations and carrying of all arms and sharp weapons were prohibited during the period, said the notice issued by the local administration. Earlier, in the day, at least 50 people, including the vice-chancellor and proctor of CU, were injured in fresh clashes between the students of the university and local people. Professor Kamal Uddin, Pro-Vice Chancellor and proctor Tanvir Mohammad Hayder Arif were injured in the clash. CU VC, proctor among 50 injured in fresh clashes; exams suspended Students said the clash broke out around 12:45 pm in the No 2 gate of the north residential area of the university when a group of local people hurled brick chips targeting students without any provocation, triggering a chase-and-counter chase that left 50 people injured. The whole area turned into a battlefield. The students also claimed that members of the army personnel were seen on the campus earlier in the morning but left after conducting a brief operation. The clash began shortly after their departure. Meanwhile, the authorities concerned have suspended all ongoing examinations of all departments of the university following the clash. Over 30 CU students injured in clash with locals; army deployed “Many students who were injured in the attack by locals had scheduled exams today. Considering the situation, all examinations have been postponed,” said CU Pro-Vice Chancellor Kamal Uddin. Earlier, on Saturday, an argument broke out between a student of the Philosophy Department and a guard of her rented house over opening the gate when she reached there shortly before midnight. At one point, the guard allegedly assaulted the girl physically. When other students gathered to protest the incident and tried to detain the guard a scuffle took place between them and local people. At one stage, an announcement from local mosques was made calling residents to gather and attack, while students also mobilised through announcements from the CU Suhrawardy Hall mosque, triggering a fierce clash that left 50 people injured. Students also claimed that the local people attacked some students with sharp weapons during the clash. Among the injured, 20 to 21 were admitted to Chittagong Medical College Hospital (CMCH).