Abrar murder: BUET bans politics, expels 19 students

The Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) has imposed a ban on political activities following the murder of its second-year student Abrar Fahad.

BUET Vice-Chancellor Saiful Islam made the announcement at a meeting with a delegation of student protesters at the university’s auditorium around 5:30 pm on Friday following five days of protests on the campus, reports bdnews24.com.

The university also expelled 19 students with suspected ties to the murder of Abrar Fahad in keeping with the demands of student protesters.

The meeting chaired by Acting Registrar Saidur Rahman started with a minute's silence remembering Abrar in the crowded auditorium.

Directorate of Students’ Welfare Director Mizanur Rahman, Teachers’ Association President AKM Masud and deans of some faculties were onstage with VC Saiful.

The students launched the protests on Monday after Abrar was tortured to death allegedly by leaders of the ruling Awami League’s student front Bangladesh Chhatra League in Sher-e-Bangla Hall on Sunday night.

The protesters demanded capital punishment for the killers, identification and expulsion of the killers from the university, fast-tracked trial in a tribunal, publication of a copy of the charge-sheet in the case, and a ban on organisation-based politics in the university.

Police have so far arrested 18 students, including 14 BCL leaders out of 19 named in the Abrar murder case.

On Thursday, the protesters demanded a meeting with the VC and set a Friday deadline threatening to lock up the offices until the demands are met.