Students of Sylhet Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) are on a hunger strike demanding the resignation of Vice-Chancellor Farid Uddin Ahmed. They started a hunger strike in front of the Vice-Chancellor’s residence at around 3 pm on Wednesday. They were on hunger strike till 11 am on Thursday when this report was written. One student was also reported to have fallen ill.
Earlier, a delegation of university teachers came to break the students’ hunger strike at around 8:30 pm on Wednesday, but failed and returned at around 11:30 pm. Later, students went on a hunger strike all night in the bitter cold. They are still there. It is learned that the students are also preparing for the press briefing.
Students of Begum Sirajunnesa Chowdhury Student Hall at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology staged a protest last Thursday night alleging misconduct. On the afternoon of the fourth day of the protest, the police dispersed the students with beating, tear gas, rubber bullets and sound grenades. At least 50 students and officials were injured.
As a result, the university was declared closed and the students were ordered to leave the hall. But students have stayed as they ignore the instructions. On the contrary, they started a new movement demanding the resignation of the Vice-Chancellor. Moreover, after attacking the students, the police filed a case against the students. There, 200 to 300 unidentified students were accused. The students were charged with assault with the intent to shoot and kill. SUST has become agitated demanding the withdrawal of the case and the resignation of the Vice-Chancellor.