DUET students' protest continues; case filed against 250 over campus clash

A case has been filed against 200 to 250 unidentified individuals following Sunday's (17 May) clash at Dhaka University of Engineering and Technology (DUET).

Meanwhile, protesting students today (19 May) continued their movement demanding the appointment of a new vice-chancellor from within the university faculty.

Although the main gate of the campus remained locked for the third consecutive day, movement through the pocket gate was normal, and the situation on campus appeared calmer compared to Sunday and yesterday. 

On another front, the newly appointed Vice-Chancellor Professor Mohammad Iqbal continued his official duties after assuming office on Sunday.

Police filed the case with Gazipur Sadar Metropolitan Police Station over allegations of obstructing government duties, assault, vandalism, arson, and injuring police members and students during Sunday's unrest.

Additional Commissioner of Gazipur Metropolitan Police Belayet Hossain confirmed the matter and said no arrests had yet been made in connection with the case.

During a press conference held at the Shaheed Minar on campus this afternoon, protesting students reiterated that their only demand was the appointment of a vice-chancellor from within DUET.

Fourth-year student Hasanur Rahman, speaking on behalf of the protesters, said, "Many are trying to divert our movement into a different channel. We want to clarify that our only demand is a VC from within the university."

"There are a dozen professors on our own campus. Which party he belongs to is not our concern. We believe that a teacher from our campus will better understand the joys and sorrows of our three thousand students," he added.

He also said the movement would continue after the Eid holidays if their demand was not met.

Earlier yesterday, another group of protesting students declared the newly appointed vice-chancellor persona non grata on campus during a separate press conference.

Reading out a written statement, Civil Engineering Department student Md Aman Ullah said, "Our demand was that the administration must be formed from among the internal teachers of DUET. But someone from outside has been appointed as VC. The movement will continue until this appointment is cancelled."

He added that the crisis must be resolved before Eid, otherwise the protest would continue after the holidays.

Yesterday afternoon, Chhatra Dal's DUET unit also held a press conference, accusing a section of students of trying to create instability on campus. 

Leaders of the organisation alleged that supporters of Jamaat-e-Islami and its student wing Islami Chhatrashibir were using the banner of general students to obstruct the new vice-chancellor from performing his duties.

They claimed that when the new VC attempted to enter the campus on Sunday, outsiders positioned near the gate obstructed him, leading to vandalism, arson, and stone-pelting.

According to Chhatra Dal leaders, at least 15 people, including students, police members, the Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer, and journalists, were injured during the violence.

They further alleged that the agitation was aimed at concealing alleged irregularities and corruption during the tenure of former vice-chancellor Professor Joynal Abedin.

The DUET Teachers' Association, in a statement, expressed concern over the violence on campus and said universities should remain spaces for academic activities and democratic practices.

The association said peaceful demonstrations over logical demands were constitutional rights, while also condemning attacks, intimidation, and interference by outsiders.

Gazipur Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Aminul Islam said normal academic and administrative activities were continuing as the pocket gate remained open.

He added that additional police had been deployed on and around the campus to prevent any untoward incidents.