Students staging sit-in inside VC, pro-VC offices

Buet students form a human chain at the university premises on Saturday demanding the resignation of the vice-chancellor and the pro-VC. Photo: StarStar Online Report

Agitating students of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet) on Sunday started a sit-in inside the office rooms of the vice chancellor and his deputy.
The demonstrators said they would continue the programme until the duo resigns.
Earlier, the demonstrators, who gave ultimatum to the VC and pro-VC to quit by 10:00am today, burnt the effigies of Prof SM Nazrul Islam and Pro-VC Prof M Habibur Rahman in front of civil engineering building around 11:15am. They also brought out a procession on the campus.
Around noon, more than 100 students with a number of teachers took position inside the office rooms of the VC and his deputy on the first floor of the registrar building and said they would stay there until the VC and the pro-VC resign.
The protesters locked the collapsible gate at the first floor stairs from inside.
The VC and pro-VC however did not attend their offices till 1:00pm.

The students on Saturday threatened to wage a tougher movement if the VC and his deputy would not resign until 10:00am today.
On Saturday, VC Prof SM Nazrul Islam said he would take step in this regard after talking to the minister concerned, while pro-VC Prof M Habibur Rahman said he would talk with the appointment authorities.
On April 7, Buet teachers launched an agitation, including work abstention, bringing 16 allegations against the VC and pro-VC. Students and university officials joined the agitation in mid-July.
The students resumed the agitation on Saturday with a human chain and a protest procession.
Buet Teachers' Association however did not declare any fresh agitation programme as the High Court had on July 31 directed the association not to stage any demonstration for the sake of smooth academic activities.
Since the teachers, students and staff of the university started agitation demanding resignations of the VC and his deputy, academic activities totally came to a halt and the university faced an unexpected closure. After 44 days of break the university opened on August 25 but no classes have been held since.
Meanwhile, the university authorities issued a notice asking the deans, heads of departments, teachers and officials concerned to resume classes and start the first-year admission process immediately.