Sust student on solo protest against unkept promises
Almost seven months have passed since the students of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (Sust) suspended their movement for the removal of the vice chancellor and other demands.
However, the promises made to them by the authorities remain unfulfilled.
When all hopes turned grim, one student stood against the unfulfilled promises.
Sazal Kundu, an anthropology major at Sust, was critically injured in the police brutality that took place on the campus on January 16, during the movement. He survived with 80 splinters of shotgun bullets in his body.
Since September 4, Sajal has been standing in front of the university's central library from noon to the afternoon daily, with placards mentioning his three-point demand, including the withdrawal of cases filed against current and former students, fulfilment of promises made to the students, and charge of the cafeteria that was "unfairly" taken from him.
"I was managing the cafeteria of the IICT building before the protest. After the campus reopened and I returned from the hospital, the cafeteria was taken back from me. This was the last resort to support my family as the only earning member," said Sazal.
Contacted, Md Ishfaqul Hussain, registrar of the university, and Prof Amina Pervin, director of student counselling and guidance, said they are not the authorities concerned to make comments on the matter.
This correspondent could not reach Sust Proctor Md Ishrat Ibne Ismail despite repeated attempts.
Prof M Jahirul Islam, director of Institute of Information and Communication Technology (IICT), said after a teacher requested, they allowed Sazal to run a cafeteria on trial before the formal tender, so that he can support his family.
He failed to provide legal documents, which was a prerequisite to formally lease the cafeteria to him, he said.
"We decided to renovate the cafeteria before formally leasing it out. When we call a formal tender, he can participate in the process," he added.
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