Kuet students give ultimatum to vacate VC's residence

Students of Khulna University of Engineering & Technology (Kuet) have issued an ultimatum to for the vice-chancellor (VC) to vacate his official residence.

The protesters said if VC Dr Mohammad Masud does not leave the house by 10:30am today, they will lock the gate.

Earlier on February 2, around 8:00pm, the students locked the main gate of the residence of the VC.

"We got information that the lock on the VC's residence had been broken, and the VC, along with several unidentified individuals, entered the building," a student, requesting anonymity, told The Daily Star around 11:00pm yesterday.

"We went there to verify the situation and confirmed that they had indeed entered by breaking the lock," the student added.

The students vowed that VC Masud has no right to stay in the VC's residence. The residence will be reserved for the new VC and until then, it will be under lock and key, they said.

They also said Masud Sir is the VC anymore. "We have rejected him as our VC, and therefore, he cannot stay in the VC's residence. We have set a deadline for him and those staying inside to leave," one of them said.

The students also cited that they do not recognise the inquiry committee appointed by the embattled VC.

"Since we have rejected him, we also reject the investigation committee formed under his authority. This committee includes individuals who are controversial in our movement, and we will never accept any report produced by them," another student said on behalf of the protesters.

"We are waiting for a neutral investigation committee to be formed under the leadership of our new VC," the student said.

On February 18, clashes broke out at Kuet over the distribution of student organisation forms by Bangladesh Jatiotabadi Chhatra Dal. Students alleged that Kuet Chhatra Dal members, along with local BNP activists, carried out a brutal attack using machetes, sharp weapons, and firearms.

Following the attack, students presented a six-point demand, including the arrest of the attackers. However, as their demands were not met, they declared to boycott the VC, Pro-VC, and Director of Student Welfare.

Later, an emergency syndicate meeting at Kuet decided to suspend academic activities until February 28.