A group of agitated students of the University of Chittagong locked the university鈥檚 main gate in the early hours of Tuesday, demanding justice after a fellow student was allegedly assaulted by locals near the campus.
The incident took place at around 10:30pm on Monday in the university鈥檚 rail crossing area, where the student, Sultanul Arefin, was reportedly beaten a group of people following an altercation with a CNG-run auto-rickshaw driver.
Following the assault, students locked the main gate at around 1:30am and launched a protest on Tuesday morning, demanding immediate action and justice. Vehicular movement remained suspended in the area from the morning due to the blockade. The gate was reopened at around 11:00am after university authorities assured the students of a fair investigation into the matter.
聽鈥業 was standing with my motorcycle near the rail crossing when a CNG-run auto-rickshaw drove over my foot,鈥� Sultanul Arefin said, adding that when he protested at the incident, there was an argument with the driver.
鈥楢t one point, some unidentified people, apparently locals noticed the 鈥楿niversity of Chittagong鈥� sticker on my motorbike and began verbally abusing me before physically assaulting me,鈥� Sultanul said.
He also said that despite informing the university鈥檚 proctorial body immediately after the incident, no assistance was provided.
鈥業 later called the pro-vice-chancellor, professor Kamal Uddin, at around 2:00am,鈥� the student said, adding, 鈥楾he proctor assured me he would come by 8:00am, but he did not come.
CU assistant proctor Nurul Hamid Kanan said that they were trying to resolve the issue discussing it with the students.