A section of students of Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology (Ruet) who has been demonstrating for cancellation of the “33 Credit System” since Saturday confined 12 teachers in Sheikh Hasina hall for six hours yesterday.

The students -- around 200 of 2014-15 and 2015-16 sessions -- also boycotted their classes and examinations for the third consecutive day yesterday in support of the demand.

The demonstrators alleged that Prof Nazrul Islam Mandal, provost of the hall, along with 11 teachers locked the main gate of the female dormitory from inside around 9:00am, so that none of the female students can participate in the demonstration.

Hearing the news, the agitating students took position in front of that hall and continued their agitation programme confining the teachers inside the dormitory.

The Ruet vice-chancellor with around 30 teachers rushed to spot to rescue the confined teachers around 2:00pm but the agitating students obstructed them.

Later at 3:00pm, some leaders of Bangladesh Chhatra League of Ruet unit along with the VC and the teachers rescued the confined teachers from the dormitory, said Hall Provost Prof Nazrul Islam.

Earlier in the morning, the university authority including Ruet Vice-Chancellor Rafiqul Alam Beg and Students' Welfare Director NHM Kamaruzzaman tried to bar the agitating students from staging demonstration programme when they gathered on the campus, alleged the students.

The students claimed that the teachers also beat up the demonstrators.

Denying the allegation, the Ruet VC said, “We have just asked the students to attend classes.”

Mentionable, a section of RUET students went on an indefinite strike demanding cancellation of the “33 Credit System” on Saturday.

According to the university sources, a student has to achieve minimum 33 credits out of 40 in the “33 credit system”. If the student fails to do so, he or she will not be allowed to move up to next session and has to retake the whole year.

Previously, students were allowed to attend classes and examinations of the next session even if they got less than 33 credits. They could obtain the credits by taking examinations later. But the RUET authorities cancelled the system in 2013-14 academic year.

According to the university sources, each course represents three to five credits.