The Chittagong University authorities have suspended all scheduled examinations following violent clashes between students and local residents, triggered by announcements made over mosque loudspeakers. The decision was confirmed on Sunday morning (31 August) by Pro Vice-Chancellor (Administration) Professor Dr. Md. Kamal Uddin, who cited safety concerns for the students and the volatile situation around the campus. He said that further decisions regarding examinations would be announced once the situation stabilizes.

The violence erupted after a late-night altercation on Saturday between a female student of the university and a security guard in a residential area near the campus. The student, from the Department of Philosophy and enrolled in the 2024–25 academic session, was returning to her rented accommodation near the Shahabuddin fish market close to the university’s Gate No. 2. Around 11:30 pm, she attempted to enter her residence but got into a dispute with the gatekeeper. The argument escalated, and the security guard allegedly assaulted her.

The student immediately contacted a male friend, who rushed to the scene along with several others. Their attempt to confront the guard quickly attracted attention from the neighborhood. Tensions escalated into a confrontation, drawing in larger groups of both students and local residents. By around 1:30 am, the situation had spiraled into violence.

What made the conflict even more volatile was the use of mosque loudspeakers. Locals reportedly called upon others to gather through announcements made over mosque mics, urging collective action against the students. In retaliation, students used the loudspeaker system of the mosque inside Chittagong University’s Suhrawardy Hall to rally fellow students. The parallel announcements from both sides mobilized large crowds, fueling the conflict further.

Clashes spread rapidly around the university’s No. 2 Gate area, with both groups engaging in stone-throwing and violent attacks. By dawn, more than 50 students were reported injured, while several locals also sustained injuries. Witnesses described scenes of chaos, with students attempting to shield their peers trapped in off-campus flats and locals rushing to reinforce their side.

University officials, security personnel, and local law enforcement intervened to prevent the violence from escalating further. According to Proctor Professor Dr. Tanvir Mohammad Hayder Arif, many students who were trapped inside nearby flats during the clashes were rescued with the assistance of authorities. He confirmed that the administration was in close consultation with law enforcement agencies, including the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI) and the National Security Intelligence (NSI), to assess the situation. Local representatives, including area chairmen and members, were also summoned to urgent meetings with the Vice Chancellor and university authorities to determine the next course of action.

The decision to suspend examinations followed these meetings. Professor Kamal Uddin stated that student safety had to take precedence, as the tension in the area made it impossible to guarantee a peaceful environment for academic activities. Classes were also affected, with many students returning to their dormitories in fear of further clashes.

The incident has left the campus community shaken, with students expressing concern over recurring confrontations with locals. Several students alleged that the lack of adequate security measures in the surrounding areas has made them increasingly vulnerable. They argued that the assault on the female student by the gatekeeper could have been avoided had there been stronger oversight and accountability in place.

On the other hand, some local residents expressed frustration, claiming that students sometimes provoke unnecessary disputes. According to them, the situation escalated quickly because of mutual distrust and long-standing tensions between the university population and residents of neighboring areas.

This is not the first time Chittagong University has witnessed such unrest. Historically, clashes between students and locals have erupted over various disputes, often requiring administrative intervention and heightened security measures. However, the recent incident has drawn particular attention due to the involvement of mosque loudspeakers, which transformed a localized altercation into a large-scale confrontation almost overnight.

As of Sunday evening, law enforcement remained on high alert in and around the campus. Additional police forces were deployed, and patrols were intensified in nearby neighborhoods to prevent further violence. Authorities indicated that if the situation does not improve, more stringent restrictions may be enforced.

For now, students and faculty members are waiting anxiously for clarity on the rescheduling of exams and the restoration of order. The administration has assured that decisions will be made in consultation with security agencies and community leaders.

The clashes have raised broader questions about the fragile relationship between university communities and local residents, as well as the role of communal infrastructure—such as mosques—in fueling tensions during moments of conflict. While immediate steps are being taken to restore calm, many observers believe that only a long-term strategy involving dialogue, stricter oversight of campus security, and improved community relations will prevent such incidents from recurring.

For the students of Chittagong University, however, the immediate concern remains safety and the uncertainty surrounding their academic schedules. As examinations remain suspended indefinitely, the campus continues to grapple with the aftershocks of a night when a personal altercation exploded into a campus-wide crisis.