Buet students to continue boycotting classes, exams

The protesting students of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet) on Thursday said that they will refrain from all kinds of academic activities until their three demands are met. 

The students have been boycotting classes and examinations for more than a month. 

The demands, which were submitted to the Buet authorities on November 2, include expulsion of all killers of Abrar Fahad, punishment to the students who were involved in ragging and punishment to those who will practise politics on the campus.

The students pressed for meeting their demands again at a press briefing held on the Shaheed Minar premises on the university campus in the afternoon. 

Aniruddhu Gangguli, who announced their demands, said the students are ready to cooperate with the Buet administration. But no initiative has been taken yet on the part of the administration in resolving the crisis.

Earlier in the morning, the University Grants Commission held a meeting with the protesting students. 

The students placed their demands before them and succeeded in convincing the commission and its members to stand in their support.

UGC Member Professor Dil Afroza Begum told The Business Standard that the demands of the students are logical. 

"The students want to go back to classes and take part in examinations. We will ask the Buet authorities to take measurers for resolving the ongoing crisis by fulfilling their demands," she said. 

Antara Madhuri Tithi, spokesperson of the students, said UGC chairman and members are positive about their demands. 

"They expressed harmony with us. They told us that they will convey the message to the government. That is why, we think that the meeting was fruitful," he said.

The Buet sources said the students sat in a meeting with the Buet Vice-chancellor Professor Dr Saiful Islam on November 2. 

The VC assured the students that they would expel the students whose names would be on the charge sheet and would meet their other two demands.

Professor Dr Mizanur Rahman, director of Directorate of Students' Welfare of Buet, told The Business Standard, "I know nothing on the progress of the last two demands," he said.

Meantime, police have pressed charges against 25 persons in the Abrar Fahad murder case on Wednesday.