Chittagong University Administration Faces Four-Point Demand from Shibir Amid Section 144 Enforcement

The student wing of Chittagong University (CU), Islami Chhatra Shibir, held an urgent press conference addressing the recent clashes between university students and local residents, as well as the overall campus situation. During the press conference, the branch president, Mohammad Ali, presented a four-point demand to the university administration.

The press conference took place on Monday (September 1) at 12 PM in the premises of Chittagong Medical College Hospital.

Present at the event were Islami Chhatra Shibir’s Central Executive Council member Ibrahim Hossain Roni, branch secretary Mohammad Parvez, office secretary Habibullah Khalid, and other leaders. In his speech, branch president Mohammad Ali stated that on Saturday night and throughout Sunday, local miscreants carried out barbaric attacks on CU students. He strongly condemned and protested the passive role played by the university administration, Hathazari police administration, and the country's security forces during these incidents. The four-point demands raised during the press conference are as follows: 1. The university administration must ensure advanced medical treatment for injured students under its supervision. 2. All miscreants involved in the attacks must be arrested, and the entire area must be made free of weapons. 3. Effective measures must be taken to ensure permanent campus security. 4. Section 144 must remain enforced until the campus's security is fully ensured. Prior to this, clashes between students and local residents occurred intermittently from Saturday midnight to Sunday 4 PM. Approximately 1,500 students were reportedly injured in these incidents. Dr. Farhana Yasmin, Senior Medical Officer at CU Medical Center, stated that around 1,500 students were injured since Sunday. Of them, 500 were sent to Chittagong Medical College Hospital, with 10 students sustaining severe injuries. She added that most students had bruises, cuts, and deep wounds, with some experiencing blood clots under the skin, resulting in blackened areas. Injuries were observed on students’ foreheads, heads, and bodies. According to reports, on Sunday around 12:30 PM, CU’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Professor Dr. Mohammad Shamsuddin Khan, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) Professor Dr. Md. Kamal Uddin, Proctor Tanvir Mohammad Haider Arif, and other faculty members attempted to mediate between the two groups. However, when locals began throwing bricks, both sides became embroiled in clashes. Intermittent chases and brick-throwing occurred between the two groups. Students were armed with rods, pipes, wooden sticks, and stones, while locals wielded machetes, rods, and pipes. The area near Gate No. 2 turned into a battlefield. The conflict later spread to nearby alleys, where many students were trapped and beaten. Those injured by sharp weapons were rushed to Chittagong Medical Center in critical condition. At around 2 PM on Sunday, Hathazari Upazila Administration imposed Section 144 in the university area. Three students, seriously injured in the clashes, are receiving treatment at two private hospitals in the city, with one referred to Dhaka for advanced care.