KUET syndicate bans political activities, forms panel to investigate attack

The decision has been taken amid the tensions prevailing on the campus

The authorities of the Khulna University of Engineering and Technology, or KUET, have imposed a ban on all political activities, following a series of clashes between the supporters of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal and the Anti-discrimination Student Movement.

The decision, announced on Wednesday, was reached at the university syndicate’s 93rd meeting, according to Associate Vice-Chancellor Sheikh Shariful Alam.

“Students will face lifetime expulsion and their student status will be revoked if they are found engaging in political activities,” Alam said.

“The same applies to faculty, staff, and employees—they will be barred from involvement in any political organisation.”

A committee has also been formed to investigate the back-to-back clashes and attacks between the leaders and activists of the Chhatra Dal and the Student Movement that erupted on Tuesday.

The four-strong panel, led by Prof MMA Hashem of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, has been tasked with examining the incident and submitting its findings within three working days.

The associate vice-chancellor said the university administration will take necessary action against outsiders involved in Tuesday’s incident, including the possibility of filing legal charges.

Students found to have participated in the violence will also face temporary expulsion, he said, adding that the university would cover the medical expenses of those injured.

Officials also pledged to implement additional security measures across campus to prevent further unrest.

In an effort to ensure student safety, all academic activities will remain suspended until Feb 28, though residential halls will remain open.

Despite this, some students were seen leaving the halls, signalling unease over the recent turmoil.

Since Tuesday afternoon, violent clashes have erupted on the KUET campus between Chhatra Dal and the Student Movement adherents over demands to stop student politics.

More than 50 people have been injured in the unrest, and authorities have detained five individuals in connection with the incident.

The situation deteriorated as BNP leaders and activists from nearby areas, including Religate and Teligati, joined the Chhatra Dal, while general students and members of Islami Chhatra Shibir rallied behind the Student Movement.

As tensions escalated, the confrontation took a dangerous turn, leaving the campus and surrounding neighbourhoods on edge.

Later, at a press conference at the campus medical centre, students outlined five demands in response to the escalating unrest.

They called for an ordinance banning university-affiliated political activities, with lifetime expulsion for violations; legal action and expulsion for those involved in Tuesday’s violence; the removal of military personnel from campus until Feb 28; full medical coverage for injured students by the administration; and the resignation of the vice-chancellor, associate vice-chancellor, and student welfare director, citing their failure to maintain order.

By Wednesday morning, law-enforcing personnel had been deployed around the campus gates, with army personnel also seen patrolling the area.

Despite the heightened security presence, no classes or examinations were held.

At midday, students locked all administrative and academic buildings, effectively shutting down university operations.