Shawdesh desk:

Hunger strike of the students of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) demanding resignation of Vice-Chancellor Prof Farid Uddin Ahmed has entered the fourth day (Saturday).

A number of 16 students have been hospitalised while many others have fallen sick, according to TV report.

The demonstrators are adamant to continue the hunger strike until resignation of the VC.

Meanwhile, the agitating students requested the government authorities, especially Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni to visit the SUST campus, see the situation and take necessary action.

The 24 students embarked on fast-unto-death on Wednesday afternoon demanding the resignation of the VC.

In the small hours of Friday, the protesting students also brought out a torch rally and burnt the effigy of the VC on the campus.

Hours back, a delegation of teachers met the students and requested them to break their fast, but students didn’t respond to their request.

On Monday, the protesting students wrote an open letter to President Abdul Hamid, demanding the immediate removal of VC.

The students also rejected a notice issued by SUST authority shutting down the campus and order vacation of the halls and dormitories.

Students of SUST started hunger strike after police action on the agitating students.

But the whole incident arose out of misbihavour with students by Begum Sirajunnesa Chowdhury Hall provost Zafrin Ahmed. She has already resigned from her post citing health issues. Dr Nazia Chowdhury of the Physics department has succeeded her.

A delegation of SUST teachers came to Dhaka Friday to hold meeting with the government authorities to resolve the standoff.