Students withdraw barricades from SUST main gate; VC’s residence

The protesting students of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology last night withdrew their barricades from the university's main gate and the vice chancellor's residence at the request of former professors Muhammad Zafar Iqbal and Yasmeen Haque.

The students made the announcement of putting off the barricades at 11:00 pm last night during a press briefing, reports our Sylhet correspondent.

The protesters, however, vowed to continue their movement on the campus until VC Farid Uddin Ahmed resigns from his post.

Earlier, after 163 hours, 28 SUST students ended their hunger strike at 10:20 am yesterday following the requests of the two professors.

A group of SUST students on January 13, began demonstrations demanding the removal of their dormitory's provost Zafrin Ahmed Liza, for misbehaving with a student.

Police on January 16, fired rubber bullets and hurled sound grenades on the agitating students, triggering a clash that left more than 30 students injured.

Since then, the students started their demonstration demanding the resignation of VC Prof Farid.

Earlier on January 18, the protesting students blocked the main gate of the university when police along with water cannons and armoured vehicles took position outside the main gate.

Later, on January 23, the students took positions in front of the VC's residence and put barricade and did not allow anyone to enter the premises except police and journalists.

Meanwhile, the protesting students yesterday handed over their four-point demand to Prof Dr Zafar Iqbal.

The demands are:  

1. The removal of SUST VC Farid Uddin Ahmed, Students Welfare Adviser Prof Jahir Uddin Ahmed and the Proctorial body.

2. Initiatives to keep all residential halls open at the moment.

3. The withdrawal of the case that was filed against unidentified students.

4. And to bear all the medical expenses of students who got injured in the police attack and those who were on hunger strike.