2 injured in clash over Naraye-Takbir slogan at CU

BD Digest Report:

Two students of Chittagong University (CU) were attacked by locals for chanting ‘Naraye Takbir’ slogans while returning from their lunch break. The incident took place at 10 pm last Friday at the university’s Rail Gate No. 1 area. One of the injured is a university correspondent for a national television channel.

According to the victim students, seven students of the Department of Communication and Journalism, including Abir Sarkar and Ashiqur Rahman, of the 2022-23 academic year, were returning to campus after having dinner at a local hotel. While going to catch a bus to campus, they shouted slogans of ‘Naraye Takbir’ and ‘Allahu Akbar’. At that time, when the locals asked them the reason for shouting slogans, a scuffle broke out. At one stage, the students boarded the bus, but the locals stopped the bus and attacked them.

The injured Ashiqur said that when the accused boarded the bus and started showing arrogance, Abir Sarkar took out his phone to record a video. Immediately, the locals snatched his phone and beat him up with sticks. Ashiqur was also hit on the chest and neck. The attackers quickly fled after the incident.

The injured were rescued and sent first to CU Medical Center and later to Chittagong Medical College Hospital. Doctors said that Abir Sarkar’s hand injury was serious and he was sent to Chittagong for advanced treatment.

The night after the incident, Jahin Abir Sarkar filed a case with Hathazari Model Police Station, naming Emon (25) and Shafiq (27). In a joint operation by the police and RAB, the main accused in the case, Emon, was arrested from the Egaromail area at 4 am.

The university’s vice-chancellor, Professor Mohammad Al-Forqan, immediately reacted strongly to the incident, saying, “As soon as I heard about the matter, I ordered the administration to arrest the accused within two hours. We will not compromise on ensuring the safety of students on campus.”

Hathazari Model Police Station OC Zahidur Rahman said the main accused is already in police custody and efforts are ongoing to arrest the other absconding accused.