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Police rescued Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET) Vice-Chancellor Professor Sheikh Shariful Alam on Tuesday after he remained confined to his residence for nearly two days amid student protests demanding his resignation.
The Chattogram deputy commissioner and superintendent of police arrived on campus around 5:20pm on October 13 to carry out the rescue operation. After discussions with students, they entered the vice-chancellor’s residence at around 5:50pm.
Deputy Commissioner Zahidul Islam Mia said they had come to ensure proper medical treatment for the vice-chancellor, who had fallen ill, and that the students’ demands would be conveyed to the government.
The vice-chancellor and 11 others had been confined to the residence for 28 hours without electricity, water or food supplies. Students locked the building on Monday morning after becoming angry over his breaking a lock to enter his office, 18 days after his appointment.
The protesters had vowed not to let him leave until he resigned.
Conflicting assessments emerged over his health. CUET Medical Centre physician Dr Md Shahab Uddin said he was well, while a doctor at Raozan Upazila Health Complex, Dr Tiplu Kanti Dey, said the vice-chancellor had high blood pressure and chest pain and needed immediate hospitalisation. Students, however, relied on the assessment of the CUET Medical Centre doctor.
Sheikh Shariful Alam was appointed CUET vice-chancellor on September 21. Students launched protests demanding the reinstatement of the former vice-chancellor, with teachers, officers and staff later joining a work stoppage in solidarity.
Amid the protests, he joined the university online on September 24 but had been unable to enter the campus for 18 days.
