More than 150 students have staged a sit-in in front of the administrative building of Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (Kuet), demanding the reopening of residential halls by 8pm.
Earlier, they submitted a written application to the university authorities in support of their demand. However, the authorities said that it is not possible to reopen the halls or resume academic activities without a Syndicate meeting. Meanwhile, police have been deployed at two campus gates to maintain control over the situation.
According to teachers and students, over 150 students gathered in front of the closed main gate of Kuet around 2:30pm.
As per the instructions of the Kuet authorities, the students entered the campus around 3pm by showing their ID cards. They then moved toward the administrative building.
Around 3:45pm, a delegation of faculty members approached the students. The teachers explained that academic activities and hall reopening were not possible without the decision of the Syndicate.
In a press briefing, the students stated that their studies were being disrupted due to the closure of academic activities and halls. Many students who live in the halls also earn by giving tuition outside, which they are now unable to do. They submitted a written request to the authorities, demanding that the halls be reopened by 8:00pm. If the authorities fail to meet their demand, the students said they would decide on their next course of action through discussion.
Professor Dr Md Rafiqul Islam, a member of the Kuet Syndicate, confirmed that the students had submitted a written application demanding the reopening of the halls. The matter was conveyed to the Vice-Chancellor by the faculty representatives.
However, he reiterated that the halls cannot be reopened, and academic activities cannot resume without a Syndicate meeting.
The students further mentioned that on February 18, over 100 people were injured during a clash on the Kuet campus involving Chhatra Dal activists, residents, and students over the demand to ban student politics.
Following this incident, on February 25, the university authorities announced the closure of all academic activities and residential halls until further notice.