Students of Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET) continued their shutdown for a third consecutive day Thursday, demanding the reinstatement of Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Abu Sadat Mohammad Sayem.
At noon, students formed a human chain at the Central Shaheed Minar, demanding withdrawal of the gazette appointing the new VC and the order relieving Prof Sayem.
Students from various departments boycotted classes and examinations and joined the program, carrying placards and chanting slogans demanding Sayem’s return. They also read out an open letter to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.
A mass signature campaign, launched on Wednesday, continued Thursday, while a torch procession was taken out in the evening.
Civil Engineering fourth-year student Devajit Das Gupta said Prof Sayem was widely accepted by students and that the movement would continue until his reinstatement.
Students said they had no personal objection to newly appointed VC Prof Dr Sheikh Shariful Alam. Their objection, they said, was to Prof Sayem’s removal just 56 days after taking office without any visible explanation.
Protests began on September 21, when students staged demonstrations and locked the VC’s office. An all-out shutdown and sit-in began the following day.