SUST students falling ill as hunger strike continues

Several students of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST), who are among those observing a hunger strike until death -- demanding resignation of the university's vice chancellor, fell ill today after 26 hours into the strike.

Among them, one student was admitted to hospital this afternoon while five more are being administered intravenous saline.

The hospitalised student, Kajal Das, was suffering from severe fever and his blood pressure collapsed, said Dr Bablu Hossain, a volunteer doctor from Jalalabad Ragib-Rabeya Medical College Hospital.

Earlier, two other students -- Dipanwita Bristy and Naima Nishat -- fell ill while participating in the hunger strike. Naima was taken to hospital before she returned after taking primary treatment.

Yesterday, 24 SUST students began the "hunger strike until death" in front of the VC's residence at 2:50pm after VC Prof Farid Uddin Ahmed refused to resign by noon, the deadline set by the protesting students.

Meanwhile, a group of healthcare providers, led by Dr Masraba Sultana, medical officer of SUST Medical Centre, are present on the spot. The students, however, are not willing to receive healthcare from them.