SUST students end hunger strike after 163 hours

A total of 28 students of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) ended their hunger strike after 163 hours at around 10:20 am on Wednesday.

At the request of renowned writer and former SUST Professor Dr. Muhammed Zafar Iqbal, they drank water to break their fast this morning.

However, the students warned that their protest will continue until the removal of the university Vice-Chancellor Professor Farid Uddin Ahmed.

Dr. Zafar Iqbal said to the agitating students that your lives are very precious. There’s no reason in risking your lives for that man.

I have been assured from the higher level of the government that your demands will be met, he added.

Earlier, the renowned writer Dr. Zafar Iqbal and his wife Dr. Yasmeen Haque reached the SUST campus and requested the students to call off their hunger strike until death.

Keeping faith in Zafar Iqbal’s words, the students agreed to drink water together in the morning and break their fast.

Twenty-four students of the university had been on hunger strike since 2:50 pm last Wednesday. Five others later joined with them on Sunday and Monday demanding the removal of SUST VC.

SUST students initially have been holding protests since January 13 demanding the removal of Begum Sirajunnesa Chowdhury Hall provost Zafrin Ahmed.

On their protest, police charged batons and fired rubber bullets to stampede them on January 16.

Several students were injured in the attack and the students complained that the VC of the university ordered police to open fire, charge batons and rubber bullets at the students and teachers.

Following the incidents, hundreds of students on January 17 started gathering at the Golchattor and surrounding areas and started demonstrations demanding the resignation of VC Farid Uddin.

ARR