The government has begun the process of relieving Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (Kuet) vice-chancellor and pro-vice-chancellor of their duties.

According to a press release issued by the information ministry, a search committee will soon be formed to appoint new candidates to the two posts.

Meanwhile, a senior professor will be temporarily assigned the responsibilities of the VC to ensure the continuation of regular activities at the university.

Students of Kuet ended their 57-hour hunger strike early yesterday following the announcement of the government's move to relieve the VC and pro-VC of their duties.

They ended their strike after Prof Tanzimuddin Khan, a member of the University Grants Commission and a faculty member at Dhaka University, offered them juice around 1:00am.

Later, the students took out a procession on the campus.

Before that, Prof Tanzimuddin read out an official message from the education ministry about the process of relieving the VC and pro-VC of their duties.

The student movement began following a clash between two groups on campus on February 18. According to the protesters, members of a student body, along with outsiders, attacked students.

Although a case was filed, it lacked specific details, and no arrests have been made.

A counter-complaint filed by an outsider named 22 students with specific information, including names, departments, and roll numbers. The protesters claim such information could only have been accessed through administrative support.

Following the incident, the university temporarily suspended 37 students.

In the aftermath, students raised a six-point demand, including the resignation of the VC, pro-VC, and the director of Student Welfare, and also called for a ban on student politics in the university.

Meanwhile, the Teachers' Association of Kuet yesterday stated that the decision to relieve the VC and pro-VC without a proper investigation was a defeat for justice.

In a statement, Prof Md Shahidul Islam, president of the Teachers' Association, and Prof Faruk Hossain, general secretary, expressed their concern over the developments.

"We had hoped for a politically neutral campus. But now we see that those who once advocated for such a campus have themselves fallen prey to dark political forces," the statement read.