SUST Students break hunger strike after assurance from Prof Zafar Iqbal
The renowned author along with his wife Professor Yasmeen Haque arrived at the university campus around 4am and urged the students to break their fast.
The students of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) taking part in a fast-unto-death programme, demanding the resignation of Vice Chancellor Professor Farid Uddin Ahmed, have ended their hunger strike after seven days.
The students drank water to break their fast at around 10am on Wednesday. The development comes following the visit of former SUST faculty and noted author Professor Muhammad Zafar Iqbal.
However, the ongoing movement against the university's VC will continue until all the demands are met, said the demonstrating students to The Business Standard.
Earlier in the day, Zafar Iqbal along with his wife Professor Yasmeen Haque arrived at the university campus at around 4am.
They went directly to the shed where the protesting students were resting and urged them to break their fast. They told them that the demands made by the students will be met.
Responding to which the students agreed to break their fast a few hours later.
Zafar Iqbal, addressing the protesters, said, "I have been assured that demands made by you [students] will soon be met. Those who have been arrested for aiding you will also be released."
"Besides, no students will be harassed in the cases that have been filed in the last few days," he added while expressing solidarity with the demonstrating students.
On Tuesday, five ex-SUST students, who were detained from Dhaka for aiding the protesters, were handed over to Sylhet Metropolitan Police (SMP).
