Students of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) confined the university's Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr AM Sarwaruddin Chowdhury along with other senior officials at university’s administrative building on Monday after students locked the premises in protest against the suspension of the Central Student Union (SUCSU) elections.
The protest began around 12:30 pm, when students chained the doors of Administrative Building-1. Later, around 2:15 pm, they also blocked the Sylhet-Sunamganj highway near the main gate, creating traffic disruption.
Alongside the VC, Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Md Sajedul Karim, Treasurer Professor Dr Md Ismail Hossain, and Registrar Syed Salim Mohammad Abdul Qadir were unable to leave their offices during the demonstration.
Students have been demanding the timely holding of the SUCSU elections after a High Court order temporarily halted the polls, scheduled to be held on Tuesday, January 20.
The protesters also blocked the university’s main gate but later moved to the administrative building to intensify their demonstration.
University authorities confirmed that security personnel were monitoring the situation and efforts were underway to resolve the standoff peacefully.
SH Jahid/MHK