ছবি: Photo: Collected
Khulna University of Engineering & Technology (KUET) has announced the closure of its campus until February 28 following violent clashes between student groups demanding a ban on student politics. The decision was made during an emergency syndicate meeting on Wednesday afternoon, confirmed by Shahaduzzaman Sheikh, the university’s public relations officer.
The 93rd syndicate meeting upheld KUET’s previous decision to ban student politics, emphasizing strict enforcement. It also formed a four-member committee to investigate those responsible for the recent clashes and took five major decisions to address the situation.
Tensions escalated on Tuesday when violent confrontations broke out between members of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) and supporters of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement. More than fifty students were injured, and five individuals were detained. The campus remains under high security, with law enforcement officers patrolling the area, including military personnel.
From Wednesday morning, law enforcement officials took positions around the campus gates. Students, in protest, locked the academic and administrative buildings, while some were seen vacating residential halls. No classes or exams took place.
One of the major syndicate decisions states that any student found involved in political activities will face permanent expulsion. Faculty members, officers, and staff are also prohibited from participating in any political organization or activities.
Tuesday’s clashes led to an emergency syndicate decision to suspend all academic activities until February 28. Additionally, the syndicate resolved to expel students involved in the attacks, take legal action against outsiders participating in the violence, bear the medical expenses of injured students, and ensure their safety. These measures were confirmed by KUET’s Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dr. Sheikh Shariful Alam.
Meanwhile, students have declared a boycott of Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Muhammad Masud after he refused to resign despite being confined in the university’s medical center overnight. At around 4:45 PM on Wednesday, students gathered and formally announced their boycott of the VC. However, he later managed to attend the syndicate meeting.
Students claim they do not feel safe under the current VC’s leadership and had demanded his resignation. Since he has not stepped down despite multiple ultimatums, they have decided to boycott him. They also announced their intention to collect signatures from students across all academic years and submit a formal petition to the interim government’s chief advisor, requesting the VC’s removal.
Additionally, students declared their boycott of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor and the Director of Student Welfare. Reports indicate that the three university officials have been confined to the medical center since Tuesday night.
Amidst ongoing protests, students locked seven academic buildings, including the administrative building. They demanded the resignation of the VC, Pro-VC, and Director of Student Welfare. Since their demands were not met by 1 PM on Wednesday, they enforced a campus-wide lockdown.
A syndicate meeting report signed by KUET Registrar Engineer Md. Anisur Rahman Bhuiyan confirmed that the university would strictly enforce the ban on political activities, originally announced on August 8, 2024. This policy applies to all students, faculty, and staff, prohibiting involvement in any political organization. Violations will result in termination for faculty and staff, while students will face lifetime expulsion.
The university administration has decided to take legal action against outsiders involved in the clashes and temporarily suspend any students found guilty. A four-member investigation committee has been formed to identify those responsible, with a report expected within three working days.
The committee is chaired by Professor Dr. M.M.A. Hashem from the Computer Science and Engineering Department, with members including Professor Dr. Mohammad Abu Yusuf, Provost of Shaheed Smriti Hall, Professor Dr. Abu Zakir Morshed from the Civil Engineering Department, and Assistant Director (Student Welfare) Shah Muhammad Azmat Ullah as the secretary.
To ensure student safety, the Khulna Divisional Commissioner will oversee security measures on and around the campus. The university will bear all medical expenses for injured students, and all academic activities will remain suspended until February 28.
Regarding the clashes, KUET authorities confirmed they would take legal action against external individuals involved. However, Khulna Metropolitan Police’s ADC (North), Md. Nazmul Hasan Rajib, stated that no official cases had been filed yet, though police remain stationed at the university gates.
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