Rangamati Jan 6, (V7N) - Students of Rangamati Science and Technology University (RMSTU), the premier institution in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, staged a two-and-a-half-hour blockade on the Rangamati-Chittagong road on Monday, demanding the immediate appointment of a Vice-Chancellor (VC). The protest comes after the university has been left without a VC for over five months, causing administrative and academic instability.

The demonstration began at 11 a.m. as students marched through Rangamati town, chanting "We want VC." They blocked the road near the Banarupa petrol pump by parking the university's transport bus across the street, paralyzing traffic and disrupting life across Rangamati.

The students expressed their frustration, citing stagnation in academic activities, teacher recruitment, and administrative operations due to the prolonged absence of a VC.

Local authorities, including Additional Deputy Commissioner Ruhul Amin and Additional Superintendent of Police Maruf Ahmed, arrived at the scene to mediate. They assured the students that their demands were being communicated to the Ministry of Education.

The situation escalated when a team from the Rangamati District BNP, led by President Dipan Talukder Dipu, joined the protest. Expressing solidarity with the students, Dipu promised that a VC appointment would be announced by Wednesday.

“According to information from the Additional District Commissioner, I assure you that the VC will be appointed by Wednesday. If this does not happen, we will enforce a district-wide blockade on Thursday,” Dipu stated.

Following this assurance, the students suspended their protest, though they vowed to resume action if the deadline is not met.

The crisis began after the resignation of the former VC on August 18, leaving the university "guardianless." Students have criticized the government for neglecting RMSTU, arguing that all other universities in the country have functioning VCs.

One student leader stated:

“We’ve been abandoned. Without a VC, our education and administration have been paralyzed. If no VC is appointed within 72 hours, we will escalate our protest.”

As the students await government action, the situation remains tense. The protest has highlighted the urgent need for leadership at RMSTU to restore normalcy and ensure the university’s progress.

With the Wednesday deadline looming, all eyes are on the Ministry of Education to deliver on its promise. Failure to act could lead to more severe disruptions, including the threatened district-wide blockade.

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