17 students still at hospitals as SUST unrest continues

UNB, Sylhet :

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.”

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.