Over two dozen students of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) who hadn't eaten in seven days ended their hunger strike on Wednesday. The students embarked on fast-unto-death on the university campus on January 19, demanding the resignation of SUST Vice-Chancellor Farid Uddin Ahmed over police crackdown on their fellows. Around 10.20am on Wednesday,  the students broke their fast after former SUST Professor Muhammad Zafar Iqbal gave them water to drink. The eminent writer and his wife Yesmeen Huq, also a former SUST teacher, came to the university in Sylhet from Dhaka around 4am and met the protesting students. Read: SUST teachers’ association urges govt to probe ‘police action’ on students “We met a high-level delegation at our residence over the issue and they assured us of meeting your demands. What you want will be fulfilled,” Prof Zafar told the protesting students. "Life is so precious. Why do you want to sacrifice your life for one person? It’s just not acceptable. You have promised me before the media to break your fast. So do it," he told the students. Prof Zafar also condemned the arrest of five alumni of SUST for allegedly sending money to the protesters at the university. "I got Tk 10,000 for a write-up on the occasion of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s birth centenary. I will give you the money. Now let the police arrest me," he told the protesting SUST students.

The hunger strike by some students of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) demanding the Vice-Chancellor’s resignation entered the sixth day on Monday with no sign of ending the stalemate in sight. On Sunday afternoon, four more students joined their fellows in the hunger strike taking their total number to 27. The unrest at the university deepened on Sunday evening as its protesting students disconnected electricity supply to the Vice-Chancellor’s residence as he refused to step down as per their demand. On day five of the hunger strike, 15 of the 24 students on hunger strike since Wednesday 3 pm remained admitted to different hospitals in the city. Earlier, one of the 24 hunger-strikers had to withdraw from the strike due to his relative’s sickness. The students went on the strike unto death demanding resignation of Vice-Chancellor Farid Uddin Ahmed following the police action on the protesting students as his behest on January 16. The police charged batons, fired sound grenades and shotgun bullets to disperse the protest on Sunday afternoon (Jan 16) while students reacted by throwing brick chips at them. At least 40 people were hurt, including teachers, students and police personnel, during the clash. Prof Farid Uddin Ahmed was confined to a locked room by the students for three hours before that. A provost of Begum Sirajunnesa Chowdhury Hall, a dorm for females, was at the centre of the initial troubles as she reportedly misbehaved with some students on January 13. She has already resigned from her post, citing health issues.

The unrest at the Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) deepened on Sunday evening as its protesting students disconnected electricity supply to the Vice-Chancellor’s residence as he refused to step down as per their demand. The students said they disconnected the power supply at 7:20 pm leaving the SUST guesthouse, teacher’s dormitory nearby the VC’s residence in the darkness. On day five of the hunger strike, 15 of the 24 students on hunger strike since Wednesday 3 pm remained admitted to different hospitals in the city. On Sunday afternoon, four more students joined their fellows in the hunger strike taking their total number to 27. Earlier, one of the 24 students had to leave the strike due to his relative’s sickness. Also read: SUST stalemate: Students’ virtual meeting with minister brings no solution yet

Even though the indefinite hunger strike by 24 students of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) rolled into day four, there has been no headway in breaking the 10-day standoff. Campus sources said 17 students have been admitted to different hospitals in the city, including Osmani Medical College and Hospital (OMCH) till Saturday noon as they fell sick due to the hunger strike and shivering cold. The protesting students vowed to continue their strike until the resignation of Vice-Chancellor Farid Uddin Ahmed. The students brought out a symbolic coffin procession on the campus on Saturday afternoon. They started the march from the university's Golchattar area. Dr Md Mostakim, a physician of OMCH said, 15 doctors have been giving treatment to the students on the campus. “The glucose level of some students has dropped while the blood pressure of some others fell substantially. We’ve given them saline. Those who’re falling seriously ill are being referred to hospitals.” Read: Exams scrapped, students block busy Dhaka crossing If they refrain from taking food for a longer time, their physical problems will increase, he added. Two ambulances were seen at the spot to deal with emergencies. Dipu Moni’s drive On Friday, Education Minister Dipu Moni talked to the students and said she wants a solution to the crisis as soon as possible.