The administration of Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET) has temporarily suspended 37 students over their alleged involvement in recent clashes on campus. Additionally, it was announced that the university’s residential halls will reopen on May 2.
These decisions were made during KUET’s 101st emergency syndicate meeting held on Monday night, according to a press release issued by the university.
However, the press release did not specify the identities of the students facing disciplinary action.
As per a notice signed by university spokesperson Shaheduzzaman Sheikh, the 98th emergency meeting had been convened on Feb 19 in response to the “tragic” events that took place on Feb 18 and 19. During Monday’s meeting, a sealed report from the investigation committee regarding the incident was presented to the syndicate—the university’s top policymaking body—and was approved.
Following this, the syndicate decided to temporarily suspend 37 students and instructed that the matter be referred to the university’s student disciplinary committee for further action in accordance with the report’s findings.
It was also resolved that the residential halls would reopen on May 2, while academic activities would resume on May 4.
Meanwhile, students have announced they will continue their sit-in protests on campus, demanding the immediate reopening of the residential halls. As Monday’s syndicate meeting was in progress, demonstrators gathered outside the venue.
Earlier in the day, students had entered the campus shortly after noon and called for the halls to reopen by 8 pm. They later rallied in front of the administrative building to press their demands.
The clashes on campus initially erupted on Feb 18 between members of the Chhatra Dal—the student wing of the BNP—and supporters of the Anti-discrimination Student Movement. The conflict stemmed from a demand to end student politics and left over fifty students injured.
On the following day, students shut down all academic buildings, including the administrative offices, in protest. That afternoon, the syndicate convened and decided to suspend all forms of student politics on campus. An investigation committee was also formed to probe the incident. Later that night, a case was filed by the administration at Khanjahan Ali Police Station against 400 to 500 unidentified individuals.
On Feb 20, students held a campus-wide rally demanding a total ban on political student organisations and calling for the vice-chancellor’s resignation.
On Feb 23, a group of students travelled from Khulna to Dhaka to submit a memorandum to Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus. The document outlined six key demands, including legal action against those involved in the clashes and the resignation of the vice-chancellor.
Subsequently, at the 99th emergency syndicate meeting on Feb 25, the university decided to shut down residential halls indefinitely. All students were instructed to vacate the premises by 10 am the next day.
In a further development, Hossain Ali, a resident of Maheshwarpasha North Banikpara in Khulna city, filed a case against 22 KUET students on Apr 10 at the Khulna Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court.
