Students protest condemning brutal murder of trader near Mitford
Buet students protest at the base of Raju Memorial Sculpture on the Dhaka University premises last night. Photo: The Daily Rays
Student organisations staged demos in Dhaka University, BUET, Jahangirnagar University, and Jagannath University protesting the killing of a trader in front of Mitford Hospital in old Dhaka and demanded punishment of those involved.
Lal Chand, alias Sohag, was beaten and murdered with a rock in front of Sir Salimullah Medical College Mitford Hospital on Thursday allegedly by rivals over dominance of scrap trade. A resident of Keraniganj, he used to trade in used copper and aluminium wires in the Mitford
In Dhaka University, students and student organisations staged separate protest processions on Friday.
Students from various DU-based organisations, including Bangladesh Chhatra Odhikar Parishad, Bangladesh Chhatra Federation, Islami Chhatra Andolon Bangladesh brought out separate protest processions from the DU dormitory areas and the base of the Raju Memorial Sculpture.
Addressing the programmes, the demonstrators criticised the BNP and its affiliated bodies over what they described as internal chaos and demanded justice for Sohag’s murder as well as for all killings that have taken place across the country.
Speaking at the protest, Saikat Arif, president of Bangladesh Chhatra Federation, alleged, “Since Hasina’s fall, we have been witnessing BNP leaders and activists engaging in clashes among themselves over controlling local markets, businesses and other issues. Many of which have led to murders.”
“BNP thinks they can just expel people and wash their hands of responsibility. But we tell BNP that expulsion is not enough. Ensure that those against whom you are taking organisational action face trial. Press the interim government to ensure it. If anyone thinks they can take the country back to the old ways after the July uprising, they are mistaken. Bangladesh will not go backwards,” he added.
Bin Yamin Mollah, president of Bangladesh Chhatra Odhikar Parishad, said, “Students are protesting Sohag’s killing today, just as they did during the Awami League’s time,” adding, “BNP is failing to control its own leaders and activists. We demand justice for these extortionist criminals. We want justice for all killings.”
At night, leaders and activists of the DU unit of Chhatra Dal too took out a procession demanding the swift trial of the culprits.
A march was held from the TSC area around 10:00pm before ending with a brief rally on the roadside near the VC’s residence.
Addressing the rally, DU Chhatra Dal President Ganesh Chandra Roy Sahos said, “The way Sohag was murdered in front of Mitford Hospital on July 9, while the killers celebrated — we strongly condemn it. We demand that the perpetrators be brought to justice immediately. If justice is not ensured without delay, Chhatra Dal will announce tougher programmes to press for the trial.”
Dhaka University students bring out a procession protesting the murder of trader in front of Mitford Hospital in the capital late last night. Photo: The Daily Rays
Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology students staged a protest at the base of the Raju Memorial Sculpture late last night, demanding justice for the killing.
The protesters brought out a procession around 11:00pm before gathering at the sculpture, where they announced a five-point demand through a written statement.
Their demands include a prompt and impartial trial of the murder, immediate arrest of all accused and maximum punishment for those responsible.
They also urged the authorities to take strict measures against extortion and recruitment syndicates across the country and to stop the misuse of political identity to shield criminals.
Jagannath University students stage a demo in front of their campus gate last night. Photo: The Daily Rays
In Jagannath University, students condemned the alleged involvement of Jubo Dal members in the murder.
The protest began around 9:30pm from the base of the university’s Shaheed Minar. The demonstrators marched through the Mukto Mancha area, passed the university’s main gate, and eventually blocked the busy Mitford intersection, demanding justice.
During a brief rally following the procession, the protesters denounced the ongoing violence and extortion reportedly perpetrated by activists of the BNP and its affiliated bodies, including Jubo Dal.
Abdul Alim Arif, general secretary of JnU unit of Islami Chhatra Shibir, said, “We question how the footage of the murder was suppressed for two days. We urge the interim government to take immediate steps to bring the perpetrators of this brutality to justice. Those who receive a share of the extorted money must also be held accountable.”
Nur Nabi, central joint convener of Bangladesh Ganotantrik Chhatra Sangsad, added, “This stone was not thrown just at my brother, it hit every citizen’s heart. The fascist Awami League has long committed such atrocities, and now BNP and Jubo Dal are following suit. Our stance is clear, we will not let this anarchy continue.”
Jahangirnagar students protest on campus. Photo: The Daily Rays
At Jahangirnagar University, leaders and activists from several student organisations protested late last night, condemning the murder.
Students took out a procession around 10:00pm from the university’s Bot Tola area and moved through various parts of the campus before ending with a brief rally at the starting point.
Participants included members of the JU units of Bangladesh Ganotantrik Chhatra Sangsad, Islami Chhatra Shibir, and other active student groups, along with general students.
In Barishal, students under the banner of “General Students” staged a protest late last night, condemning the recent killing in Dhaka’s Mitford area and the rising incidents of murder and rape across the country.
Students under the banner ‘General Students’ protest in Barishal town last night. Photo: The Daily Rays
At around 10:45pm, a protest procession comprising students from various colleges began from Nathullabad and moved to the front of Ashwini Kumar Hall on Sadar Road.
Sabbi Hossain Sohag, one of the demonstrators, alleged that a certain party is carrying out extortion across the country and killing businessmen in broad daylight.
“If the perpetrators are not arrested within 24 hours, general students will take to the streets again, and no force will be able to stop us,” he said.
Protesters said students from different educational institutions across the city gathered in Nathullabad and took to the streets to protest the alleged involvement of BNP, Jubo Dal, and Chhatra Dal in nationwide incidents of murder, extortion, and rape.
Rajshahi University students demo on campus last night. Photo: The Daily Rays
At Rajshahi University, students demanded justice for the brutal murder in front of Midford and protested the ongoing nationwide extortion and terrorist activities.
A rally was held at the university’s Zoha Chattar at 7:30pm on Friday.
At the rally, Mehedi Sajeeb, former coordinator of Students Against Discrimination, said, “In the one year since the July uprising, we’ve witnessed a continuation of terrorism, occupation, and murders. Behind all these is the active involvement of BNP and its affiliated bodies. It’s time to stop identifying criminals based on political affiliations. If the administration fails to uphold the ideals of the July revolution, they should step down.”
Another former coordinator Salauddin Ammar said, alongside the administration, the media also needs reform. “It’s alarming that a murder took over 48 hours to be reported. If the media had done its job properly, the judicial process could have begun sooner.”
[Our correspondents from Barishal, Dhaka University, Jagannath University and Jahangirnagar University contributed to this report.]
