Vice-Chancellor Professor Sheikh Shariful Alam of Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET) remained confined inside his office for nearly 15 hours as protesting students blockaded the administrative building to press for the reinstatement of former Vice-Chancellor Professor Abu Sadat Mohammad Sayeem. The agitation escalated on Monday (Oct 14) afternoon when demonstrators padlocked the main entrance of the administrative building at approximately 12:30 PM, trapping the incumbent Vice-Chancellor and several others inside. By Monday evening, the protesting students convened a press briefing to formally demand the resignation of Professor Alam.
As of 3:00 AM late Monday night, students maintained a rigid vigil in front of the administrative building. The situation grew tense around 1:30 AM when reports emerged that an individual inside the building had fallen ill. Consequently, Dr. Mohammad Abdullah, a physician from the university's medical center, entered the premises alongside journalists to provide medical assistance. Upon examination, Dr. Abdullah found that Engineer Shahriyar was suffering from severe hypertension, recording a dangerously high blood pressure reading of 170 over 100 millimeters of mercury, and promptly recommended his transfer to Chittagong Medical College Hospital. The physician noted that another individual was also unwell, though that person did not require immediate hospitalization.
Addressing inquiries regarding his physical condition, Vice-Chancellor Professor Sheikh Shariful Alam stated that he was fine while expressing concern for the others trapped with him. He explained that two alumni members were suffering from high blood pressure complications, prompting him to summon an ambulance and a medical team. He added that because everyone had been blockaded for an extended duration, all individuals inside were experiencing fatigue and distress. Reports indicated that approximately 10 to 11 individuals, including CUET branch Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal President Wasif Rashed, his associates, and several current and former students, were trapped alongside the Vice-Chancellor.
The roots of the ongoing crisis trace back to September 21, when Professor Sheikh Shariful Alam, previously a faculty member at Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET), was appointed as the Vice-Chancellor of CUET. Prior to his formal appointment, students launched protests demanding the reversal of the removal of former Vice-Chancellor Professor Abu Sadat Mohammad Sayeem. Since September 22, the student body has enforced a total shutdown, while teachers, officers, and employees have simultaneously observed a work stoppage. This sustained standoff has paralyzed the institution, bringing academic classes, examinations, and administrative functions to a complete standstill for nearly three weeks.
According to the protesting students, the confrontation peaked on Monday morning at around 9:00 AM when the Vice-Chancellor allegedly broke the administrative building's gate locks and entered his office accompanied by leaders and activists of the CUET branch of Chhatra Dal. Upon receiving news of the entry, students issued an ultimatum demanding he vacate the building by 12:00 PM. When the deadline elapsed without his departure, the students locked the main entrance, initiating the prolonged siege that stretched deep into the night.
