DUET Blockade Enters Fifth Day Amid Clashes

An ongoing demonstration organised by a section of students at the Dhaka University of Engineering and Technology (DUET) in Gazipur entered its fifth consecutive day on Monday, with protesters enforcing a strict blockade programme. Protesting students gathered on the university campus from the early hours of the morning, staging frequent marches and chanting slogans demanding the appointment of a Vice-Chancellor from within the institution’s own faculty.

According to university authorities, the unrest was triggered by a government notification issued last Thursday, which appointed Professor Mohammad Iqbal from Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) as the new Vice-Chancellor of DUET. Following the publication of the official gazette, a faction of the student body rejected the decision and initiated demonstrations. Furthermore, several teacher leaders have aligned with the students, demanding that the top administrative post be filled by one of the senior professors native to DUET.

Police personnel and eyewitnesses reported that the agitation, which commenced at 21:30 on Thursday, escalated significantly on Sunday morning. At 08:00 on Sunday, a group of students initiated a “red card” demonstration on campus. Tensions intensified following rumours that the newly appointed Vice-Chancellor was scheduled to arrive on campus to assume office. Consequently, the agitators padlocked the main entrance of the university and directed derogatory slogans towards the members of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal.

The situation deteriorated further at approximately 10:00 on Sunday when an opposing faction of students, who supported the newly appointed Vice-Chancellor, attempted to force open the main gates to gain access to the campus. This led to a fierce altercation between the two groups, which rapidly degenerated into violence. The opposing factions engaged in severe brick-batting, hurling stones and debris at one another.

The demonstrating students maintained that DUET, being a specialised engineering and technological university, possesses distinct academic and administrative dynamics compared to general universities. They argued that, in the best interests of the institution, the government should select an internal, qualified, and senior academic for the role of Vice-Chancellor.

The violent confrontations on Sunday resulted in injuries to at least 25 people. Among the wounded were the Additional Commissioner of the Gazipur Metropolitan Police, Taherul Haque Chouhan, three senior police officials, and five other police personnel, bringing the total number of injured law enforcement officers to eight. Additionally, the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) of Gazipur Sadar, Sajjat Hossain, and Delwar Hossain, the Gazipur staff reporter for the daily newspaper Dainik Dinkal, sustained injuries during the unrest. Security measures remain heightened on campus to prevent further altercations.