Tensions escalated at Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (Cuet) on Monday as student buses were subjected to repeated attacks and a bus driver was assaulted amidst an ongoing movement that reached its 21st day.
Despite the protests, violence targeting university transport persisted later in the afternoon.
At around 4:30pm, a bus heading towards the Press Club came under attack. During this incident at Bahaddarhat Bus Terminal, the driver of a Cuet bus named “Jamuna” was allegedly beaten up, and the window glass of the bus was vandalised.
Total non-cooperation over VC’s entry
Protesting against the entry of the newly appointed vice-chancellor, Professor Sheikh Shariful Alam, onto the campus, Cuet Teachers’ Association, Officer Association, and Staff Association announced a complete work abstention alongside a total non-cooperation programme until their pre-announced demands are fulfilled.
The decision was taken during a joint meeting of the three organisations held at the university central auditorium on Monday and subsequently issued via a joint statement.
In the statement, the three associations hatefully rejected the newly appointed Vice-Chancellor’s entry into the campus with the assistance of outsiders.
The statement explicitly mentioned that should any unwanted situation arise surrounding this incident, the vice-chancellor himself must bear full responsibility.
Reaffirming their resolve, the associations declared that complete work abstention and total non-cooperation will continue until their demands are met.
The ongoing movement at Cuet is being observed to protest against the appointment of Professor Sheikh Shariful Alam and to demand the reinstatement of former vice-chancellor Professor Abu Sadat Muhammad Sayem, which has severely disrupted normal academic activities at the university.
Outbreak of bus attacks and protest demonstration
Alongside the administrative deadlock, buses carrying Cuet students faced a series of attacks on the same day. Following an initial attack at Modunaghat, another bus carrying students back to the campus was attacked at around 2pm on Monday.
In response to the attack at Modunaghat, teachers, students, officers, and employees of Cuet organised a protest demonstration at around 3pm following a press conference.
The protest march commenced from the front of the central auditorium and concluded at the central Shaheed Minar premises.
Participants from all four groups gathered at Shaheed Minar premises, where leaders of the teacher, officer, and staff associations delivered speeches condemning the attacks and demanding that those involved be quickly identified and brought to justice.
Addressing the gathering, Md Samiun Bashir, joint secretary of Cuet Teachers’ Association, said: “We are facing a difficult crisis today. On behalf of the three associations, we condemn the heinous attack on our students at Modunaghat.”
Jamal Uddin, president of Cuet Staff Association, said: “Buses used to run according to routine so far. But today our bus was attacked. The government should find those who attacked student buses within 24 hours and bring them under law.”
Marking the timeline of their agitation, Dr Md Abul Hasan, general secretary of Cuet Teachers’ Association, said: “Today is the 21st day of our movement. So far our movement was very disciplined. Today attempts were made to create chaos by attacking student buses. Our request to government is to ensure justice for this attack through fair investigation.”
Moreover, Professor Mohammad Ahsan Ullah, president of the Teachers’ Association, informed that the officer-in-charge (OC) of Hathazari Police Station and the divisional commissioner have been briefed regarding the attacks, expressing optimism that they would take swift and necessary action.
