CUET declares all ponds hazardous, warns of punishment for entering water

Following the tragic deaths of three students by drowning in campus ponds, the Chattogram University of Engineering and Technology (CUET) authority has declared all ponds and ditches on the campus as hazardous. Entering, swimming, or going into the water of these ponds has been completely prohibited until further notice.

The directive was issued in a notification signed by Professor Saiful Islam, Director of the Directorate of Student Welfare on Thursday (August 13).

The notification stated that in the interest of students' safety, all ponds on the university campus have been declared dangerous. Until further notice, no student or related individual will be allowed to descend into, swim in, or enter the water of these ponds.

The university authority further stated that if anyone enters a pond in violation of this directive, it will be considered an act against university discipline. Disciplinary action will be taken against the offender in accordance with the university's prevailing rules.

CUET currently has two main ponds on its campus, along with multiple ditches. Recently, two students died within a span of two days while bathing in one of the ponds. Prior to that, another student had drowned in the same pond.

On Wednesday, August 12, Chamak Dutta, a second-year student of the Computer Science and Engineering department, and Shanto Deb, a second-year student of the Electrical and Electronic Engineering department, drowned while bathing in the pond adjacent to Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam Hall.

According to CUET sources, Shanto and Chamak had gone down into that pond to bathe with their friends. At one point, they sank into the water. After being rescued and taken to the hospital, doctors declared them dead.

Just two weeks prior, on July 28, Arnob Saha, a fourth-year student of the Mechanical Engineering department, died while bathing in the same pond. He had reportedly also entered the water with his friends.

To ensure the safety of students, the university administration has now imposed a ban on entering the water in all ponds and ditches across the campus.