Vice-Chancellor of Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET) Professor Sheikh Shariful Alam was rescued by the Chittagong deputy commissioner and police superintendent on Tuesday evening after remaining confined to an administrative building for nearly 30 hours amid a student protest.
He was taken to Chittagong city for medical treatment.
Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Zahidul Islam Mia and Superintendent of Police Mohammad Masud Alam rescued the vice-chancellor from Administrative Building-2 at around 6:00pm.
Earlier, at around 5:20pm, the two officials and other administration representatives arrived on the campus and held talks with the protesting students. They entered the building at around 5:50pm.
The deputy commissioner said they had come to ensure proper medical treatment for the vice-chancellor, who had fallen ill after being deprived of water and electricity for an extended period. He also assured the students that their demands would be conveyed to the government.
“He felt unwell after being without water and electricity for a prolonged period. Doctors have also advised him to receive advanced medical treatment. He contacted us by phone and through a live broadcast, seeking our assistance. We have come to take him for better treatment,” Zahidul Islam Mia said.
He added that the government was aware of the crisis on campus and expressed hope that it would be resolved soon.
The vice-chancellor and 11 others had remained confined to the building for nearly 30 hours without water, electricity or food supplies.
On September 21, Professor Sheikh Shariful Alam of Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET) was appointed CUET vice-chancellor, replacing Professor Abu Sadat Mohammad Sayem.
Since September 22, students have been enforcing a “complete shutdown” programme demanding Sayem’s reinstatement. Teachers, officers and employees have also been observing work abstentions in support of the demand, bringing classes and examinations to a halt.
The new vice-chancellor had been unable to enter the campus following his appointment because of the protests. On Monday, however, he entered his office in the vice-chancellor’s building after breaking a lock placed by students, accompanied by leaders of the CUET unit of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal.
After learning of his arrival, students began gathering outside his office at around 9:30am and gave him a deadline to leave. When the deadline expired, they locked the building’s gate again at around noon and disconnected its water and electricity supplies.
The protesting students said they would remove the lock only if the vice-chancellor resigned, allowing him to leave the campus with dignity.