CUET VC confined to office for nearly 21 hours

Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET) Vice-Chancellor Professor Sheikh Shariful Alam remained confined to his office for nearly 21 hours until Tuesday morning as students continued their protest demanding the reinstatement of his predecessor.

The protesters locked the main gate of the administrative building at around 12:30pm on Monday after the newly appointed VC failed to leave by a noon deadline.

As of 9am on Tuesday, 10 to 11 people, including the VC, remained trapped inside the building.

The students said Sheikh Shariful Alam entered his office at around 9am on Monday after breaking the lock on the building’s gate, accompanied by leaders and activists of the CUET unit of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD).

The protesters subsequently asked him to leave by noon. As he did not comply, they locked the main gate.

Those trapped inside included CUET JCD president Wasif Rashed, his associates, and several current and former students.

At a press conference on Monday evening, the protesters demanded the VC’s resignation. They maintained a sit-in outside the building throughout the night, with the programme continuing on Tuesday morning.

At around 1:30am, two people inside the building reportedly fell ill. CUET medical centre physician Mohammad Abdullah examined engineer Shahriar and recorded his blood pressure at 170/100mmHg, recommending that he be taken to Chittagong Medical College Hospital. The other person was not sent to hospital.

The VC said he was well but two alumni members inside the building were suffering from high blood pressure-related complications. He had called for an ambulance and a doctor, adding that others were also feeling exhausted after being confined for hours.

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New CUET VC enters administrative building after breaking lock

Sheikh Shariful Alam, a professor at Khulna University of Engineering and Technology, was appointed CUET VC on 21 September following the removal of Professor Abu Sayed Mohammad Sayem.

Students have been enforcing a shutdown since 22 September, demanding Sayem’s reinstatement. Teachers, officers and employees have also been observing work abstentions in support of the demand.

Classes, examinations and other academic activities have remained suspended for nearly three weeks, with the latest standoff further escalating tensions on the campus.