Students of Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET) on Tuesday afternoon broke the locks of several residential halls and entered the premises, intensifying their ongoing protest with a single demand- the resignation of Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Muhammad Mahmud.
At around 3:00 pm, the protesting students broke the locks of Khan Jahan Ali Hall, Dr M A Rashid Hall, Amar Ekushey Hall, and Lalon Shah Hall, reclaiming access to their living spaces after being locked out by the university authorities amid unrest on the campus.
Earlier, at around 1:45 pm, students held a press briefing at the KUET Student Welfare Center where they formally announced their one-point demand.
“Since the VC has failed to ensure students' safety, denied responsibility, cut off essential services like water and internet, encouraged legal action against protesters, and suspended students unfairly — we now declare the removal of the VC as our only demand,” a student representative stated during the announcement.
They also called for an impartial investigation into recent events under the supervision of a new Vice Chancellor.
The protest began on Sunday (April 13) as students demanded the immediate reopening of the halls and the resumption of academic activities. On Monday night (April 14), following an emergency Syndicate meeting, KUET authorities announced that halls would reopen on May 2 and classes would resume on May 4. However, students rejected this decision, calling it unreasonably delayed.
The movement has its roots in the February 18 campus clash, which led to the temporary suspension of 37 students.
bd-pratidin/GR
