8 arrested over clash between Chittagong University students, locals

Three were named in a case filed over the violence, while the involvement of the other five came to light during the investigation, police say

Police have arrested eight people in connection with a clash between Chittagong University students and local residents.

They were arrested on Tuesday during a drive in Jobra village, said Kazi Md Tarek Aziz, additional superintendent of police (Hathazari Circle).

The arrestees have been identified as Imran Hossain aka Imran, 35, Md Hasan, 22, Md Rasel aka Kala Rasel, 25, Md Alamgir, 35, Nazrul Islam, 30, Md Zahed, 30, Md Arman, 24, and Didarul Alam, 46.

ASP Tarek told bdnews24.com that three of the arrestees were named in a case filed over the violence, while the involvement of the other five came to light during the investigation.

Imran is listed as suspect No. 61, Hasan as No. 64 and Russell as No. 86 in the case.

An argument between a female student renting an apartment next to Gate No. 2 of the university and the building’s security guard set off a clash between students and local residents around midnight on Saturday. The violence continued into the early hours with chases and counter-chases.

The two sides clashed again on Sunday.

Hundreds of people, including students, members of the university’s proctorial body, and even the vice-chancellor, were injured in the clashes. Section 144 restrictions on public gatherings were imposed on the campus and its surrounding areas from 2pm on Sunday to 12am on Monday.

On Tuesday afternoon, two days after the clash, Deputy Registrar Abdur Rahim of the university's security department filed a case naming 95 suspects and local Jubo League activist Md Hanif as the prime suspect.

Another 800-1,000 people have been named as unidentified suspects in the case.

Although the case does not mention any political affiliations, most of the accused named in the complaint are known as leaders and activists of Awami League’s affiliate organisations.