Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET) Vice-Chancellor Professor Sheikh Shariful Alam remained confined to the vice-chancellor’s building for more than 22 hours, with the deadlock continuing for a second day.

As of Tuesday morning (13 October), the newly appointed vice-chancellor was unable to leave the building. Mechanical Engineering Department Professor Arafat Rana, CUET Chhatra Dal President and Joint General Secretary, and several former and current students of the university were also inside.

The main gate of the building was found locked during a visit to the site. The situation has left the university in a continued state of deadlock.

The vice-chancellor was confined to the building around 1pm on Monday. Around 8pm that day, students gave him an ultimatum to resign and leave the building. However, he has yet to make a decision on whether to resign.

While confined, Sheikh Shariful Alam said the students had not submitted any written demands or statements to him. Had they submitted written demands, he would have informed the Ministry of Education or the University Grants Commission (UGC), he said.

Two people accompanying the vice-chancellor reportedly fell ill while they were confined.

Describing the situation, he said, “There are four alumni members with me. One is my friend, and two are my seniors. There are also six to seven regular students of the university. They can continue their protests; that is not a problem. But cutting off electricity, water and gas just two to three hours after I arrived at my office at 9am is inhumane.”

According to the protesting students, the newly appointed vice-chancellor broke the lock on the gate of the administrative building around 9am on Monday and entered his office accompanied by CUET Chhatra Dal leaders and activists.

After news of his entry spread, students gave him until noon to leave the building. When he failed to leave within the deadline, protesters locked the main gate of the administrative building around 12:30pm.

On 21 September, Professor Sheikh Shariful Alam of Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET) was appointed vice-chancellor of CUET.

Earlier, students launched a movement protesting the removal of Professor Abu Sadat Muhammad Sayem and demanding his reinstatement.

Since 22 September, they have been observing a complete shutdown. Teachers, officers and employees of the university have also been observing work abstentions in support of the same demand.

On Monday, the protesters announced a non-cooperation programme.

Due to the ongoing movement and the resulting deadlock, classes, examinations and other academic activities at the university have remained suspended for nearly three weeks.