Factions of students have broken the hunger strike programme which was being observed from January 19 demanding resignation of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) Vice-Chancellor (VC) Farid Uddin Ahmed.
On request of former SUST professor and noted writer Muhammed Zafar Iqbal the protesters broke the fasting at around 10:20am on Wednesday.
However, the ongoing movement against the university VC will continue until all their demands are met, said the students.
Accompanied by wife Yasmin Haque, Zafar Iqbal travelled to the SUST students who have been fasting and talked to them.
“Sir (Zafar Iqbaql) told us that he was sent with assurance. He said, it is unwise to harm own for the VC. So, he requested us to withdraw from the fasting programme. But, our movement will continue,” one of the protesters Abdullah Al Rafi said.
On 13 January, a group of SUST resident students began demonstrating, alleging that their provost, Zafrin Ahmed Liza, misbehaved with a student who called her to report bad food and other issues.
On 16 January, police charged batons, lobbed tear shell canisters, fired rubber bullets and threw stun grenades on the agitating students that left over 30 pupils injured. The police action turned the student protest into an-anti VC one as protesters went on a fast-unto-death programme.
Police filed a case against 300 students. The university authority closed down all classes and residential halls but students still continued their protests.
