The Chittagong University authorities on Tuesday afternoon filed a case over the violent clashes between students and residents of Jobra village more than two and a half days after the incident.
CU acting registrar Professor Dr Saiful Islam confirmed the filing of the case with the Hathazari police station.
CU security chief Abdur Rahim lodged the case at around 12.30pm on聽 Tuesday accusing 98 identified individuals and 800 to 1,000 more unidentified others, said Dr Saiful.
Besides the case, a separate general diary was made over the looting of locally made weapons from the university.
Confirming the matter, investigating officer sub-inspector Rupon Nath of Hathazari Model Police Station said that the case was filed with the police station under sections 143, 147, 148, 149, 323, 324, 325, 326, 307, 427, 506(2) and 34 of the Penal Code.
Meanwhile, the university proctor鈥檚 office issued a notice demanding the return of the looted locally made weapons within 48 hours.
The notice, signed by proctor Professor Tanvir Mohammad Haider Arif, said that the locally made weapons had been seized from various CU halls on August 5 past year and kept at the university鈥檚 security office.
They were looted during the clashes with Jobra villagers on August 31, the notice said.
It instructed that anyone in the possession of looted weapons must return them to the security office within 48 hours of the notice鈥檚 publication, failing which the university authorities would take strict legal actions.
Assistant proctor Najmul Hossain said, 鈥楢fter August 5 past year, the university authorities seized around 160 machetes from different halls and stored them in the university security office.鈥�
He further said that six locks were broken to loot the weapons, adding that university security personnel were severely injured.
They even pleaded with those students who did the looting, he said.
The pro-vice-chancellor (administration) also urged, 鈥楧on鈥檛 do this, it will not look good. But in the end, we could not stop them.鈥�
About 130 machetes were looted. 鈥榃e have sought cooperation from all student organisations, because the looted weapons may one day become a boomerang against the students themselves.鈥�
Classes and examinations remained suspended on Tuesday as Section 144 was in force on the campus while students said that they would not return to academic activities until those responsible for the attacks were brought to justice.
Bangladesh Ganatantrik Chhatra Sangsad CU unit convener Muntasir Mahmud said, 鈥楴early 1,500 students were injured in the criminal attacks due to the CU administration鈥檚 failure. We will not join classes or exams under this administration and we demand its resignation.鈥�
Student leaders further said that their demands included speedy trials of the local attackers, the formation of a specialised cell to ensure security for female students, full coverage of medical treatment for the injured, including treatment abroad if necessary, and strengthened security at all campus gates and key points.
As of Tuesday, two CU students remained in the intensive care unit of Parkview Hospital and six others in its casualty ward. Eleven students were still under treatment at the Chattogram Medical College Hospital.
Parkview Hospital consultant Dr Mohammad Amin said that ICU patients Imtiaz Sayem and Abdullah Al Mamun suffered severe head and brain injuries with heavy bleeding.
Imtiaz remained in a critical condition while Mamun鈥檚 condition had slightly improved. They needed to be under observation for at least another 24 hours, according to hospital sources. Besides, the six students admitted to the casualty ward were in a stable condition.
Those in the ward were identified as Sadid Mahbub, Mizanur Rahman, Md Saiful, Rohan, Baharul Islam and Kamal Uddin.
CMCH medical officer Bushra Sikder said that several students had suffered broken bones and head injuries while others received injuries in the hands and legs. All of them were, however, out of danger.
On August 30, clashes began at the University of Chittagong at midnight, when a first-year female philosophy student was allegedly assaulted by a building guard near the Gate No 2.
Students rushed to the spot and soon clashed with residents of Jobra village, who had gathered there through mosque announcement systems. At least 60 students were injured in the first spell of violence.
The situation escalated again at noon on August 31, spreading in hours of fighting with sharp weapons, vandalism and looting that left many more injured, including the pro vice-chancellor (administration), the proctor and several teachers.
Security forces intervened later in the day, Section 144 was imposed in the surrounding area, and the university suspended examinations until September 4.
Locals later placed seven demands while students staged protests calling for justice and the resignation of top CU functionaries.