Kuet students return to campus defying indefinite shutdown after 1.5 months

Students of Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (Kuet) have returned to campus defying a shutdown imposed by the university administration for an indefinite period since 26 February in the face of student protests.

Students in large groups entered the campus around 3pm today (13 April) amid the deployment of police at the university's entrance.

However, they did not have to face any police obstruction while entering the campus, reports our correspondent.

Earlier, around 2pm, students started gathering at the main gate. At one stage, teachers went there and allowed their entry upon checking identity cards. 

On 18 February, more than 100 individuals were injured during a clash at Kuet over banning student politics at the institution. The next day, the university administration decided to suspend all political activities at a syndicate meeting.

The Kuet administration also then filed a case against some 400-500 unnamed individuals at Khanjahan Ali police station over the clash. A probe committee was also formed in this connection. 

Later, on 20 February, students held an agitation programme on the campus, protesting against student politics at Kuet, as well as demanding the resignation of the university's Vice Chancellor, Prof Muhammad Masud.

On 23 February, protesting students also submitted a memorandum to the chief adviser of the interim government, placing six demands, including the resignation of the VC.

Given the situation, at the 99th syndicate meeting held on 25 February, the Kuet administration announced the shutdown of the campus for an indefinite period.

On 8 April, the Kuet administration issued a circular stating that only official activities of Kuet will resume from 15 April upon completion of the holidays of Ramadan and Eid-ul-Fitr. 

The notice also urged students as well as their guardians to comply with the shutdown order until further notice.

After that, students announced on social media that they would enter their campus defying the order.   

Amid the announcement by students, Kuet Registrar Engr Md Anisur Rahman Bhuiyan on 11 April wrote to the Khulna Metropolitan police seeking police deployment on the campus to avert any untoward incident.