Protests continue at DUET after new vice-chancellor assumes office
The students locked the university’s main gate and administrative building and took positions on campus, disrupting normal activities and administrative work
A section of students of Dhaka University of Engineering and Technology continued their protests this morning (18 May) over the appointment of the university's new vice-chancellor, Professor Mohammad Iqbal.
The students locked the university's main gate and administrative building and took positions on campus, disrupting normal activities and administrative work.
Witnesses said officials and employees who arrived before 8:30am were allowed to enter the campus, while others were barred from entering.
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A tense situation continued in and around the university, with additional police deployed to avoid any untoward incidents.
The protesting students said their movement will continue until the appointment of the newly appointed VC is cancelled.
"We will not accept the appointment of the new VC in any way," one of the students said.
The students also demanded justice for DUET students who were allegedly attacked and injured during clashes on Sunday.
At least 25 people, including five policemen, were injured in clashes between two groups on the campus centring on the joining of the newly appointed VC.
The unrest began after the government appointed him, a professor of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, as the new VC of DUET under a notification issued by the Education Ministry's Secondary and Higher Education Division on Thursday.
Soon after the announcement, a section of students rejected the appointment and demanded that a VC be appointed from within DUET.
Despite the protests, Professor Mohammad Iqbal formally assumed office on Sunday afternoon.
The new VC said he was carrying out his regular duties and that the campus situation remained under control.
He said security personnel had been instructed to remain at the main gate and allow entry only after checking ID cards.
After assuming office, he signed documents related to changing signatures on several university bank accounts, along with salary and other official papers for master roll employees. He later left Gazipur in the afternoon.
Today, he was scheduled to attend administrative work at the ministry in Dhaka.
The protesting students have placed three demands: cancellation of Mohammad Iqbal's appointment, appointment of a DUET teacher as vice-chancellor and punishment for all those involved in Sunday's clashes.
Although videos and observations from the campus showed apparent opposition from Chhatra Shibir activists and support from Chhatra Dal activists regarding the appointment, no group officially claimed responsibility.
