KUET Students Issue Ultimatum Over Campus Attack, Demand Resignations
Students of Khulna University of Engineering & Technology (KUET) have issued an ultimatum demanding the resignation of the Vice-Chancellor, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, and Director of Student Affairs, along with an unconditional apology for their alleged failure regarding the recent attack on students. They have warned that if their five-point demand is not met by 1:00 PM on Wednesday, February 19, all academic activities, including classes and examinations, will be suspended. The students announced their ultimatum during a press briefing at KUET on Tuesday, February 18, at 8:30 PM.
In a written statement, the students alleged that members of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) and local BNP activists carried out a brutal and premeditated attack on them. They demanded that KUET authorities file attempted murder and sabotage charges against the perpetrators and their enablers, including students, faculty members, and administrative staff involved in the incident. Additionally, they called for the immediate expulsion of those responsible and the cancellation of their student status. The students further insisted that KUET must issue an official directive prohibiting any student, faculty member, or staff from direct or indirect involvement in politics within or outside the campus. Violations of this rule should result in lifelong expulsion and cancellation of student status.
The press briefing also called for the deployment of military personnel outside the campus until February 28 to ensure student safety. Furthermore, the KUET administration must bear all medical expenses for the injured students.
According to students, discussions about forming a JCD committee at KUET had been circulating on social media in recent days. On Monday, JCD activists distributed leaflets on campus. On Tuesday, at around 12:30 PM, the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and general students staged a protest march, chanting slogans such as “No Place for Student Politics at KUET” and “We Demand a Politics-Free Campus.” When the procession reached the central mosque, JCD activists reportedly responded with counter-slogans, leading to tensions between the two groups. Clashes erupted, lasting until 5:00 PM, leaving at least 30 students injured. Ambulances were seen transporting the wounded to hospitals throughout the evening.
Jahidur Rahman, member secretary of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement at KUET, claimed, “Fifty of our students were seriously injured, and the total number of injured students exceeds 150.”
Mirajul Islam Imon, spokesperson for the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement’s Khulna District Committee, said, “JCD activists shed students’ blood without provocation. They attacked Jahid Bhai with a machete ten times and crushed the legs of district convener Tasnim and senior joint secretary Ratul with bricks. Countless students have been injured.”
However, former convenor of JCD’s Khulna Metropolitan Unit, Ishtiaq Ahmed Ishti, countered the claim, stating, “Shibir activists attacked general students, and JCD members intervened to stop them. This led to clashes between the two sides.”
Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Khan Jahan Ali Police Station, Md. Kabir Hossain, confirmed that five individuals were detained following the clashes. Army, Navy, police, and RAB personnel have been deployed to restore order.
Notably, on August 11 of the previous year, KUET’s Syndicate Committee officially banned political activities for students, faculty, and administrative staff on campus.
