The students of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (Sust) have called off their agitation calling for the resignation of the university vice chancellor (VC) after 27 days.
At a press briefing on Saturday (12 February), they announced the withdrawal of the movement.
Mohaiminul Bashar Raj, spokesperson of the protesting students, read out a written statement at the press briefing held at around 7:30pm.
The statement read: "We have withdrawn our movement for the time being as we have full confidence in Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni. We are waiting for our demands to be met."
The students also said that academic activities would continue in a normal environment at the university from Sunday.
Raj during the briefing said: “You all are aware of the fact that the minister came to the university on Friday. We had a long discussion with her regarding our demands. She heard us with due sincerity and the discussion was fruitful. We thank the minister for showing sincerity in the matter.”
Also Read - Sust vice chancellor apologizes for police attack on students
He further said that the students had placed an additional six demands during Friday’s discussion. They also talked about improvement in academic activities in all other universities across the country. The minister had assured them that the demand for the VC’s resignation would be conveyed to the chancellor.
"We hope that he will make the right decision to ensure the quality and environment of our education," Raj read from the statement.
Regarding the case against the students, the students said that the matter had been brought to the minister's attention. The minister had said that arrangements would be made to withdraw the case very soon.
Earlier in the day, the Sust VC expressed his sorrow over last month’s police attack on the protesting students of the university.
VC Prof Farid Uddin Ahmed also termed the attack “uncalled for”, 28 days after the assault left dozens of students injured, said the university’s Registrar Ishfaqul Hussain on Saturday.
The development comes a day after Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni’s talks with a delegation of the agitating students in Sylhet.
The education minister also met the VC and other administrative officials of Sust. Dipu Moni advised Farid to issue a statement apologizing for the police attack on January 16.
