24 SUST students go on hunger strike

Twenty-four students of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) went on hunger strike unto death.

Sylhet, Jan 19 :  Twenty-four students of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) went on hunger strike unto death on Wednesday demanding the Vice-Chancellor’s resignation while some teachers staged protests against the students’ ‘indecent remarks’ about the VC

The students begun the hunger strike around 3pm in front of the residence of the VC as he didn’t not step down today as per their ultimatum.

The students said they will continue their hunger strike until the VC resigns.

Earlier on Tuesday night, the students set a deadline for the vice-chancellor to resign by 12 pm. They threatened that they will resort to hunger strike unto death if he doesn’t step down by the deadline.

The agitated students also made an effigy of the VC Farid Uddin Ahmed and placed it in front of his residence. They also placed various placards there.

Meanwhile, some teachers of the university took position at the main gate of the university protesting the various remarks made by the agitating students about teachers and the VC ‘indecent’. 

The teachers gathered at the main gate of the university from 11 am today protesting the students’ ‘indecent remarks’ against the VC.

Prof Dr Laila Ashrafun said, “We chose this profession to earn respect. They can’t say whatever they like . Why should we be humiliated? We strongly condemn this.”

About the police attack on the protesting students, the professor said that they don’t know anything about the attack. “The state needs to investigate the incident to find out the attackers.”

The students continued with their protest for the seventh consecutive day on Wednesday.

On Monday, the protesting students wrote an open letter to President Abdul Hamid, demanding the immediate removal of the vice-chancellor.

A student read out the open letter outside the residence of SUST Vice-Chancellor Farid Uddin Ahmed on Monday. The President is the Chancellor of the university.

The students also rejected the notice of shutting down the university for an indefinite period and the direction to leave the halls.

Currently, the students are staying on the campus and locked the hall gates from inside.

SUST was to close, following the clash on the campus between the cops and the protesting students on Sunday. Its students were asked to leave the dormitories by 12pm on Monday.

Provost of Begum Sirajunnesa Chowdhury Hall, Zafrin Ahmed was at the centre of the trouble, having reportedly misbehaved with some students. She has already resigned from her post, citing health issues.

Dr Nazia Chowdhury of the Physics department has been appointed in her place, said the SUST V-C.

Removal of Zafrin as the provost of the residential hall for female students was one of the principal demands of the students protesting on the campus, reports UNB.