Authorities deployed joint forces comprising police, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), and army personnel at Chittagong University (CU) on Sunday, following violent clashes between students and local residents.
The forces were deployed around 3:45 PM, nearly an hour after Section 144 was imposed for the stretch from east side of Gate No. 2 market to railway gate by Hathazari Upazila Nirbahi Officer Muhammad Abdullah Al Mumin.
Earlier in the day, CU students accused locals of carrying out repeated attacks, including storming residential areas. During an attempt at reconciliation around 12:30 PM, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Academic) Prof Dr Mohammad Shamim Uddin, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Administration) Prof Dr Md Kamal Uddin, and Proctor Prof Dr Tanvir Mohammad Haider Arif came under stone-pelting, triggering fresh clashes.
At least 150 students were injured in the violence, with about 30 reported in critical condition.
Students alleged law enforcement was slow to respond. “Locals attacked us since morning, even storming homes. Authorities only arrived around 4 PM. Had they come earlier, many students would not have been injured. The government must take responsibility,” said Milon Hossain Sarkar, a student of Persian Language and Literature Department.
The situation remains tense on campus, though joint forces have now taken control of the area.
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