Rangamati, Dec 11 (V7N) – Students of Rangamati Science and Technology University (RMSTU), the only higher education institution in the hill district, held a human chain on Wednesday demanding the swift continuation of development activities and protesting what they described as coordinated attempts to obstruct the university’s progress. The demonstration took place in front of the July Memorial on campus, with student Nurul Alam moderating the event. Speakers included students from various departments, among them Umme Shalma Labannya and Jemi Barua from Fisheries, Ifthekhar and Arjun Mondol from CSE, Aktaruzzaman Apu, Nurul Alam, and Ifthekhar Hamim from Management.

Student leaders said that although the RMSTU Act was passed in 2001, academic activities began only 15 years later, and the institution has since faced numerous setbacks, including extortion and armed intimidation by regional groups that hindered development initiatives. They noted that the situation began to improve after the current Vice Chancellor took office in late 2024 and initiated several major infrastructure projects through communication with the government’s higher authorities, along with recruiting essential faculty members.

Students said the university is finally beginning to take shape as a complete higher education institution, but a vested quarter is attempting to impede progress by using the Department of Environment and certain NGOs to disrupt ongoing development projects. They highlighted the irony that the Department of Environment itself constructed its own office by cutting hills in the region, yet is now obstructing university development on environmental grounds.

Leaders warned that transforming RMSTU into a fully functional university requires uninterrupted development, and any unjustified obstruction will prompt strong student movements on the streets. They emphasized that no higher education institution can thrive under repeated intervention and delays.

The controversy intensified after a writ petition was filed with the High Court alleging hill cutting during the construction of four university buildings, including student dormitories. The High Court subsequently asked the RMSTU Vice Chancellor, the Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police of Rangamati, the Department of Environment, the contractor company, and the Education Engineering Department to explain the allegations. In response, the Department of Environment filed a case with Rangamati Kotwali Police Station naming the project director, executive engineer, and contractors. Those accused have since secured bail from the cognizance court.

At Wednesday’s human chain, students reiterated that any baseless obstruction to RMSTU’s development will not be tolerated and warned of rigorous protests if disruptions continue. They demanded uninterrupted progress on all development projects, an end to conspiratorial interference, and accelerated expansion of the university campus to meet academic needs.

END/AMR/SMA/