On October 21, 2024, members of the Chhatra League – the student wing of the former ruling party, the Awami League – and the Jubo League – the Awami League’s youth wing – clashed with students at Chittagong University (CU). At least 3 students were seriously injured.

The clash occurred after members of the Chhatra League and Jubo league attacked a shop located on CU’s campus during the early morning hours of October 21. Students heard the attack from the CU dorm and marched toward the shop. Members of the Chhatra and Jubo leagues threw crude bombs and fired bullets, injuring between three and ten students. Some were seriously injured.

Scholars at Risk is concerned about violent attacks on campus. Students and members of the public must refrain from violence, especially on campus, and respect the right to freedom of association and freedom of expression, and university authorities must take reasonable measures to ensure safe conditions for living, learning, and expression for students. In addition to the harm to the immediate victims, such actions undermine academic freedom and democratic society generally.

Sources:
*SAR identified this incident in data made publicly available by the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED)
https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/4-injured-clash-cu-over-control-local-shop-3732656
https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/3-chittagong-university-students-injured-attack-chhatra-league-jubo-league-971941
https://www.newagebd.net/post/country/248293/three-cu-students-injured-in-clash-with-jl-activists-near-campus
https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/nation/362599/chhatra-league-jubo-league-allegedly-attack