Protesting Kuet students break into dorms, announce one-point demand of VC’s removal

Protesting Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (Kuet) students have broken into six residential halls of the university at around 2:00pm today (15 April). 

They also announced that they would continue their protest with the one-point demand of the removal of Kuet Vice-Chancellor Prof Muhammad Masud.

Before breaking into the dormitories, the students gathered at the Durbar Bangla Chattar on the campus at around 1:45pm and held a protest programme. Then, they went in front of each department with a procession and called on the teachers to open the halls with megaphones.

However, after receiving no response from the administration, the students held a press briefing at the Student Welfare Center and announced that the protest will continue the movement till the VC resigns.

"Since the VC has failed to provide security to the students of Kuet, refused to take responsibility for the failure, turned off the internet and water and kicked students out of the hall, instigated filing of a case against the protesting students, and expelled the protesting students, we are declaring to wage our movement with one point instead of six," one of the protesters read out at the press briefing.

"Our only demand is the removal of this VC. At the same time, we are demanding an impartial investigation through an impartial investigation committee under a new VC," the student added.

Following the announcement, the students announced to open the locks of various halls.

Earlier on Sunday (13 April), at around 3pm, a group of protesting students entered the campus. Although the Kuet administration had issued a notification banning students from entering the campus, deployed additional police and sent text messages to parents not to send their children to the campus, the protesters were not stopped by anyone. 

The protesters have been demanding the opening of the hall since Sunday and staged a sit-in protest in front of the Administrative Building till today.

In the meantime, the Kuet administration suspended 37 students in connection with their involvement during the 18 February clashes at Kuet over demands to ban student politics.

"An investigative committee was formed during the 98th emergency syndicate meeting on 19 February following the unfortunate incidents on 18 and 19 February at Kuet. The committee's sealed report was presented to the syndicate, which accepted it," said Shahiduzzaman Sheikh, the acting public relations officer of the university's Public Relations, Information, and Publications Department.

"In addition, instructions have been given to refer the matter to the university's student disciplinary committee for necessary action as per the investigation report. In addition, it has been decided to open all residential halls for students starting from 2 May and resuming academic activities from 4 May. 

However, protesting students raised concerns that the Kuet authorities have yet to disclose the names and identities of the 37 students suspended following the syndicate meeting. The students claim they have not been informed of the specific charges leading to the expulsions, either.

The Kuet authorities have also refused to reveal the names, departments, or details of the suspended students to the media.

Shahiduzzaman said 37 students allegedly involved in the incidents were suspended based on the findings.

Meanwhile, a case was filed against 22 Kuet students last Thursday (10 April) in the Metropolitan Magistrate's court by Hochen Ali, a resident of Maheshwarpasha Uttar Banikpara area in Khulna. 

The court accepted the complaint and directed Khanjahan Ali Police Station to investigate and submit a report.

The plaintiff alleged that while returning home via Kuet Road on 18 February, the accused assaulted him with rods and sticks near the Pocket Gate area, attempting to kill him, and snatched his gold chain.

However, students claim that the Kuet administration instigated an outsider to file the case against them. They argue that without the university's assistance, it would have been impossible for an outsider to know the names and identities of the 22 students.

On 18 February, clashes erupted at Kuet over demands to ban student politics, leaving over a hundred injured. The next day, students locked all academic and administrative buildings. During an emergency syndicate meeting that afternoon, Kuet authorities decided to halt all political activities on campus and formed a committee to investigate the clashes. 

That night, the administration filed a case against 400-500 unnamed individuals at Khanjahan Ali Police Station.

On 20 February, students held a protest rally on campus, displaying red cards to all political student organisations and demanding the vice-chancellor's resignation. 

On 23 February, students travelled from Khulna to Dhaka to submit a memorandum to the Chief Adviser, demanding the trial of those involved in the attacks, the VC's resignation, and six other points.

On 25 February, Kuet's highest policymaking body, the syndicate, decided to close all residential halls indefinitely during its 99th emergency meeting. 

Students were ordered to vacate the halls by 10am the next day, prompting further protests on campus.