Student Showdown over SUST Professor Scuffle
Professor Dr. Shafiqul Islam, Head of the Department of Petroleum and Mining Engineering (PME) at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST), was allegedly harassed and assaulted following a traffic altercation. In protest, university students blocked the Sylhet-Sunamganj highway late on Sunday, May 18.
The protest began at around 9:30 PM near Mount Adora Hospital in Sylhet, where angry students obstructed traffic, leading to severe gridlock on both sides of the road. By 10:00 PM, the students had moved to the university’s main gate and continued the blockade there. The standoff persisted until 1:00 AM, when military and police officials intervened and negotiated the withdrawal of the blockade. The students presented a three-point demand during the talks. Around 2:00 AM, the alleged attacker was detained by police.
The assailant, identified as 30-year-old Russell Ahmed, is a resident of Akhalia Neharipara in Sylhet and the son of Abdur Rakib. Dr. Shafiqul Islam was later admitted to Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital for treatment of his injuries.
Recalling the incident, Dr. Islam stated, “I was driving towards Pathantula when a motorcyclist suddenly cut in front of my car near Mount Adora Hospital in the Akhalia area. The motorcycle collided with my vehicle, and the rider then got off and physically assaulted me.”
Upon learning about the assault, university students gathered at the site and initiated a protest by blocking the Sylhet–Sunamganj road. After demonstrating for about half an hour, they marched back to the university’s main gate and continued their demonstration, intensifying the traffic congestion.
The students demanded the immediate arrest of the attacker. “The individual who laid hands on our professor must be brought to justice swiftly,” they asserted.
University Proctor Professor Mokhlesur Rahman confirmed the attacker had initially evaded capture, prompting police to detain his brother instead. He added that law enforcement efforts were ongoing to apprehend the main suspect.
Assistant Proctor Professor Belal Hossain Shikder elaborated, “A scuffle broke out between Professor Shafiqul Islam and a local man in front of Mount Adora. The man not only harassed but physically assaulted the professor. He was taken to Osmani Medical College Hospital for treatment. In response, students blocked the Sylhet-Sunamganj road demanding the arrest and exemplary punishment of the perpetrator. Later, they agreed to lift the blockade following assurances from the police and university administration.”
