Eight Arrested Over Violent Clashes at Chittagong University

Police have arrested eight individuals in connection with the violent clashes between Chittagong University (CU) students and local villagers on August 31, which left at least 240 people injured. The arrests were made during an overnight operation in Jobra, Ward No. 2, Fatehpur Union of Hathazari Upazila, as confirmed by ASP (District Special Branch) Md Rasel.

Among the arrestees, Imran Hossain, Hasan, and Rasel were named in the First Information Report (FIR), while the other five were identified during the ongoing investigation. “Police are working to identify the masked attackers involved in the incident,” Md Rasel stated, indicating that efforts to apprehend additional suspects are underway.

The clashes, which occurred in two phases, were triggered by the alleged assault of a female student by a dormitory security guard near the university’s Gate No. 2 on Saturday night. The situation escalated into violent confrontations between students and residents of Jobra village on Sunday, involving brick-throwing and chase-counter-chase incidents. At least 240 people, including CU’s Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Administration) Professor Md Kamal Uddin, Proctor Professor Tanvir Mohammad Haider Arif, and several hundred students, were injured. Currently, 14 students are receiving treatment at three hospitals in Chattogram, with two in critical condition in the ICU.

On Tuesday, CU’s Deputy Registrar (Security) Abdur Rahim filed an attempted murder case with Hathazari Police Station, naming 95 individuals and listing approximately 1,000 unidentified persons as accused. The FIR includes allegations against activists of the banned Bangladesh Chhatra League, according to Abu Mohammed Kawsar Hossain, officer-in-charge of the station.

The university authorities also filed a general diary regarding the looting of weapons from the university’s security office during the unrest. The imposition of Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, banning public gatherings, remains in effect in the areas surrounding CU’s Gate No. 2 to prevent further violence.

The arrests mark a significant step in addressing the violent episode, which has drawn widespread condemnation and prompted calls for a judicial probe into the incident. The university administration continues to work towards restoring normalcy on campus, with classes and examinations currently suspended