Cuet in focus: Cops escort Cuet VC, JCD leaders out after 30hrs

Protesters say VC was freed after he promised never to return

Prof Sheikh Mohammad Shariful Alam, the newly appointed vice-chancellor of Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology, was taken out of his office under heavy police protection yesterday evening, ending a 30-hour confinement.

Chattogram Deputy Commissioner Zahidul Islam Mia and Superintendent of Police in Chattogram Masud Alam entered the administrative building after students opened its gate and brought the VC out at 6:15pm.

The VC was whisked away in an ambulance while around 150 agitating students chanted “Bhua, Bhua (fake, fake)” slogans, reiterating their demand for the reinstatement of former VC Prof Abu Sadat Mohammad Sayem.

The students had been demonstrating for the last 21 days to press home their demand. They said Prof Shariful was allowed to leave only on the condition that he would not return to the campus.

Current and former leaders of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, who had been trapped inside the building alongside the VC since Monday noon, were also escorted out.

The demonstrating students also cut power and water supplies to the building.

Addressing the gathering through a megaphone, DC Zahidul explained that the administration stepped in after the VC informed them that he was feeling unwell.

“He has been confined for a long time. Excessive sweating and hypertension due to the heat have made him feel uncomfortable,” he said.

Prof Shariful’s health had been a much-talked-about issue throughout the day. Around 11:00am, he complained of chest pain and headache. At 1:30pm, a medical team led by the university’s Medical Centre doctor Shahabuddin examined the VC, and found his blood pressure normal despite sweating and discomfort due to severed electricity and water supplies.

However, Raozan Upazila Health Complex Resident Medical Officer Tiplu Kanti Dey later found his blood pressure fluctuating, sweating, and chest pain. The doctor then recommended immediate hospitalisation. After students sought clarification, both doctors re-examined the VC, confirmed blood pressure fluctuation, and agreed that hospitalisation would be beneficial.

At 5:49pm, the students opened the administrative building gate, allowing the Chattogram DC, the SP, and Additional District Magistrate Mahbubul Haque to enter. Additional police personnel were deployed on the campus.

Around 25 minutes later, the VC, along with current and former leaders of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, was brought out of the building.

Protest coordinator Arnab Shahriar reiterated that the new VC must resign because he had “brought outsiders to the campus”. Another student, Asadul Galib, criticised the district administration for failing to act against those allegedly involved in Monday’s attack on student buses.

DC Zahidul assured them that he would convey their demands to higher authorities.

SP Masud said a thorough investigation would be conducted over the alleged attack on student buses and the presence of outsiders inside the administrative building.

He added that action would be taken against anyone found guilty.